Take a look at this coin and tell em what in the heck is wrong with it. It looks whizzed to me. http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-1897-O-Bar...DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120087753080
Whizzing is usually done with a rotating brush, so my thought is just a plain old brass toothbrush-sized brush. http://www.cointalk.org/images/icons/icon13.gif The field in the super-size reverse picture is enough to make me sick to my stomach!
I asked him if he knew if this coin had been cleaned in the past. I told him it looked whizzed to me. Heres his response..... "Appears to be typical wear. Very old somewhat-dark natural toning. If you are the eventual buyer, be aware that I have a 100% no questions asked refund policy. Although I doubt in this case it would be a problem. Norman." Man, sounds to me like he doesnt have very much experience with coins.
The 1897 O in higher grades is very tough, Lawrence lists it as a R-4 in VF. So, someone will buy it since they don't come along very often. But, can you live with it is what I always ask. In this case, I could not.