"Questionable color" on this Trade Dollar

http://coins.ha.com/itm/trade-dolla...opulation-9-134-mintage-396-600/a/1207-8240.s

I guess the colors do look a bit "off", but exactly what about this coin earned it a details slab?

 

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Looks like someone left it out in the sun to tone, but wasn't a very good job.

 

The toning on the reverse. It looks as if it may have had some assistance.

 

Look like someone put in a silver saver box or jewelry box with same type red velvet that save silverware from toning?
My mom did that to a few of my coins when I was drafted in to US Army.

 

The black sharpie?

 

IDK about the color, though I agree its odd. I just don't like the surfaces overall. Looks like it was dipped two or three times too many. Completely lifeless.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

Probably dipped too heavily to remove ugly toning, and what remained/ or re toned looks very unnatural.

 

Yes, I would agree. Looking at this coin I would say "Questionable surfaces" versus "Questionable color".

 

Definitely agree--- over dipping would have chemically altered the surface. The reverse is particularly strange in overall surface appearance. It looks so washed out, and the color that is there just seems lacking in any sparkle. So, the metal may well have been chemically altered.

 

Yes over dipping will make a coin look like this ! Also silver safe do the same with the red hint on coin Rev that also could be were it's was before grading . Grandma or Pa jewelry box.?

 

Over dipped to the point all the original lusters gone no hairlines or they'd probably called it cleaning details either way is is one to stay far away from. Too bad as 1873 is a rather tough year to find a quality trade from I think pcgs population is just over 200 in all grades

 

I'm not interested in buying it, just trying to learn more. Thanks to everyone. Always more to learn...

 

Notice how many details and problem trades there are there! There's a couple nice au coins that are nice and original I like the au-58 1874 and there was a nice gunmetal grey 1877 with a real nice strike!! Just don't beat me up on the one trade I'm chasing and high bidder on (a proof) The only coin I'm trying to buy right now

 

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Always good to learn!! I wouldn't have called it qc either I'd have called it cleaned dipped to the point the chemicals have minutely etched the surface so the luster and the light reflection is completely gone leaving a matte "wrong" looking appearence

 

Could it have been smoked to intentionality hide hairlines?

 

Being smoked will not completely dull the surfaces like that. I have seen smoked coins but there is still luster underneath. I am sticking with messed with surfaces, either by horrendous overdipping or another measure. The TPG got it right as a problem coin, I just thing the description of the problem was wrong, (or at least not the worst problem).

 

141 yrs & a Unc questionable color grade.
A few issues no one but owner could have done as storage before slips holders etc . Could it have been over dipped ?
I really think color has something to do with the first owner storage and environment coin was stored in and that information is locked in the the coin if they only coins talk.

 

It sold for $822.50 I wouldn't have bought it for any price. I did buy a trade dollar at that ha sale tho the only coin I bid on was far more expensive then this one!!