Has This Coin Been Cleaned

I sold this coin on eBay a few weeks ago. I didn't say anything in the listing about it being cleaned because to me it didn't look cleaned. I got a message from the buyer a last week saying they just got home from vaca and saw the coin and that they thought it was cleaned. They said they weren't going to return it though and didn't want a refund...

From these photos, does the coin appear cleaned to you? If so, please explain because I couldn't tell.

Here are the pictures I had in the eBay listing:

 

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Can't tell from these photos.

Maybe we see a hint of it here ...?

 

imo, No.

 

Only thing I can think of is a possible quick dip?

 

Toronto, could you explain what you see please.

 

The torso of the eagle might be a bit more shiny than a fully frosted one. Doesn't really look cleaned, though.

As for the photo, a few small lines that are not consistent with the frosting or luster on the other areas of the field. They could very well be common raised die finishing lines/die scratches. I placed arrows where I think I see something. The photo does not really show anything suspicious, I'm mostly guessing because you asked.

 

OK, I see those lines now. But since they are in the recessed area of the coin I would think those were on the surface of the die.

 

Ask the buyer why and where he thinks it was cleaned. What condition did you describe it as, in the listing?

 

I asked the buyer what about the coin made them think it was cleaned/ this was part of their answer "Under a strong microscope it shows different steps of lost patina as well as a not true surface. If i have this coin certified PCGS, Or NGC it would come back as au 58 cleaned."

TPGs don't examine coins under "strong microscopes" when they grade coins, do they?

 

This photo looks better.

 

Did you have to sell the same coin twice?

 

It doesen't appear cleaned to me. That scratch on the base of the bust might keep it from being graded however. Shame, otherwise that's a nice type 2.

 

Doesn't looked cleaned to me. My gut reaction is that the buyer is overanalyzing the coin.

 

No. But I had to list it twice. They offered, I countered, they accidentally hit BIN instead of accept offer. So I just relisted it.

Yeah that scratch is unfortunate. I bought this one along with another nicer 57 type B. Flipped this one and kept the other.

 

Under a strong microscope , heck a tpg first looks at a coin with no aid and if he see's something might use a 3 to 5X loupe . At least in most instances other than authentication or problems like tooling .

 

Quite a difference in price. I thought maybe by accident the photos were the same for two auctions and the guy complaining got a slightly different coin of the same description.

 

Tell him to try his luck. On a Monday morning his coin may get a grumpy, malicious grader. On Friday, before Happy Hour, his coin might get a quick glance, a smile and an MS-62. You just never know.

http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/index.aspx?CertNumber=3825121-008

 

If NGC sees this they should revoke the certification and fire the grader on the spot.

 

Do you guys think this one is cleaned?...