May I have your opinions on this one, please. I am actually on the fence here - it is not cheap (80 % of retail for F12), and am trying to decide. The color is a tad lighter than on the pictures - cleaned? Thank you for your help.
obviously not an expert opinion, but I would think it was cleaned from the fact that it's field is gunk free in the large areas and is a very dull solid metal look, not exactly technical speak, and the areas I would consider hard to get to for cleaning have black gunk in them. unless that's not gunk and its just toning. but even if it's toning you know it wasn't recently cleaned, doesn't mean it never was. I say yes. better if someone is more versed in this subject gives you an opinion though.
Hard call on that one without seeing in hand not chemically cleaned and I don't see the hairlining in the fields from abrasive cleaning it may have been rubbed with a soft cloth or scrubbed with soap and water possibly or it has the look of being circulated fairly recent a pocket piece perhaps? I can't get enough detail on my phone screen which looks like it's been mutilated then whizzed to be able to tell further
Unless you PERSONALLY/PROFESSIONALLY know for certain I suggest passing. And since you are asking for opinions I assume your answer to my first sentence would be "No". Too much money involved to go with a raw coin. If the seller has a comfortable return policy and gives you enough time to submit to a TPG then the risk is MUCH less. It sounds like you want an F-12 that isn't DETAILS/Genuine.
To me, it looks dipped and not mechanically cleaned or polished. Not a bad looking coin, but I can't say definitively about the cleaning issue. I'd pass and get a more "original looking" specimen in the same condition, in plastic. I, personally, just don't buy coins of that value and relative scarcity uncertified. Too much to invest in something doubtful. If you want to save money, get an ANACS or some other second tier TPG coin, and you will save the 10-20% right there, and know it is graded and not details. You're talking a $1200 coin there, and if you want to spend that kind of money, get a slabbed one for peace of mind.
To me it looks like it has been dipped - I can't say for sure, but that is what the lighter color reminds me of. Just my humble opinion. There are a few in my collection that I can live with, but only you can decide that.
I'd take a shot if the price is right as long as there is a 1 month return policy. Honestly though the color on this coin is dull, not hand cleaned (no patterned hairlines), more likely dipped. If it were me I'd look for a more attractive specimen. If you decide to buy, get it slabbed. Tell them only to slab if it is not a details coin (get it pre-screened). Have SEGS take a look at it. Many of my bummers were identified by them.
Purely my opinion but I think it's definitely been harshly cleaned Eduard. Looking at the obverse, see that area of the fields between the left arm and the stars ? See how it's a much lighter color than the field area next to the arm itself and around the stars and the field below the left knee ? The color change almost stops in a straight line level with the top of the left leg. To me that and the light scratches there says somebody worked on that area. And the way the recessed areas of the torso and the drapery are so much darker than the higher points. That says to me that somebody has rubbed the coin with something that removed the darker gun metal grey toning from the higher points. Yeah I'll agree that the coin does not show the typical light scratches everywhere that so many harshly cleaned coins do. But it does show all of the other tell tale signs. I wouldn't buy it.
Thank you all very much for your comments and assessments. I have come to the same conclusion. Even if the coin does not show signs of harsh cleaning, it has seen sort of cleaning. For the price asked, it is not worth it. Back it goes. Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to comment.
