You have two of the more common dates. It's hard to see the 1878-S in the dark picture, but of the two I'd say it looks most likely to have been cleaned because of its lackluster look. The 1896 value in the latest price guide I find at the moment is worth about $50, and the 1878-S (if not cleaned) is worth about $30.
I posted the wrong coins. But I am curious. When I purchased the coins the guy told me the 1896 was an Uncirculated MS++ and the 1878-S was a MS60.
the 1878 hasn't been an MS anything since about 1878. At best I might call it a VG. It was hard to see the date on the other coin but now that I look at again I might change it to an 1886 ... but that's an even more common date and the value would drop.
Yeah, I know! I could have told you about the mix-up in the coins, but sometimes I just try to make the other person think. The 1896 might be MS, but I'd need better photos. There is no way that the 1878-S is MS, and I doubt that it would make AU. Chris
I think you're safe with the 1886 not being cleaned but I can't tell well enough from the picture to say the other one has or hasn't. It's always hard to tell for sure from pictures anyway.
