Well, maybe they didn't want to mark it "ED" since they didn't want to give you a discount on their cleaning services.
I don't know... I see a coin that was fully toned.. and then some dipstick handled it... but I don't see a cleaning.
My thoughts is the toning is much heavier immediately around the devices...areas that a cleaning would have a hard time getting to. These areas have no reason to tone any faster than other parts of the field. So, that would indicate a cleaning. That said, I don't see any damage to the coin as a result of the cleaning...but the evidence is certainly there.
well since they bagged it as cleaned hows the luster? the tonings nice but the fingerprints are distracting.
The only place I can see any evidence of harsh cleaning is here. And if I wasn't looking for it I probably would have missed it on this coin. So either there is more hidden in toning and fingerprints that the pic doesn't show, or else they thought that was enough.
I was thinking of cracking it and dipping it and seeing if they don't grade the white coin.... that'd be a fun experiment....
If nothing else it should make any signs of harsh cleaning plainly evident. And just for giggles, folks might want to note that the slab does not say Cleaned. It says Improperly Cleaned ! edit - and yes Thad, that's just for you
Either it is the pictures or the coin - but I don't see any luster. I know some people like coins like this, but I would pass even if they put it in a 64 holder. I say dip it and send it back just as an experiment.
I guess this is a useful reminder that my judgement is poor. I would've jumped on the reverse for "improper cleaning" -- there's dark patina around the devices, but in the fields, it looks for all the world like someone's taken an eraser to it. Given your comments and NGC's, I assume the luster must be clearly visible in those areas in-hand -- but in this photo, the reverse really looks abused to me.
Oh my. I've never seen so many fingerprints on one coin. I guess that makes it kind of special. Different, anyway. It's interesting that NGC said "obv improperly cleaned", focusing their criticism on one side, not both. Which leads me to believe it's all about the fingerprints and attempts to minimize them. If you enjoy its appearance you should do no more. Don't spend any more money on it. Don't mess with it. If it were mine I would start with a pure acetone bath to see if that helps. I doubt it, but it never hurts. Then I would move on to Ez-est for a quick or diluted dip. I'd then have a mostly white coin, lifeless and void of luster. Just a hunch. Some ugly stains would remain. (NGC would still bag it for improper cleaning but I wouldn't submit it -- grading it is a waste of money). In the end, I would be pretty unhappy with the entire experience and would dump it for melt and write off the loss as tuition. Lance.
Exactly what I was thinking. The fingerprints have been lightened somehow, they are not as dark as they should be. I'm almost certain that's why they bagged it. I'd try the acetone and then thio dip like Lance said. I don't think those prints are going anywhere though and, if you took it far enough to remove them, it will be a melt coin IMO.
