Opinions appreciated. 1846 Liberty Seated Dollar

Pay no attention to these nabobs of negativity, LZB. The coin has most likely been dipped, like a lot of 170 year old silver coins, but it has plenty of detail and overall is a good looking specimen. If you like it, that's all that really matters.

 

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Buddy16cat, that's the perfect example. What was I thinking?

 

She sure LOOKS like she went for a swim?.....

 

Looks can be deceiving. Who has the coin? Who put it under a microscope?
As much as I appreciate the info from the more open minded members, some just try to be negative and ruin your day, you cant here.

 

I certainly don't try to be negative. I try to give an honest opinion.

My opinion is based on 20+ years in the hobby, and the experience and knowledge that comes with that. My opinion is based on viewing thousands of Ebay images, and comparing them to how the coin looks in hand (when I've bought them). My opinion is based on taking thousands of images, with a number of techniques (I started with a scanner when I was young, graduated to a couple of point-and-shoots, and now have a DSLR). My opinion is based on thousands of posts and many years on this forum and the NGC boards. My opinion is based on seeing thousands of coins in hand at shows. I'm not just giving you a random, off the cuff answer - I'm giving you an answer based on experience. My experience says that when a scanned coin of that age looks like that, there is a very high probably that its been cleaned. As always, with better photos, or in hand, my opinion may be different.

 

20 Plus in the Hobby, 52 here. Just wanted to know what it may grade at, it has not been cleaned.

 

Here's what I suspect Physics-fan is considering: first, luster/brightness renders in a scanned image as dark, black if it's bright enough. This makes evaluating scans iffy because worn, dark areas on a coin can approach a similar shade, and you have to learn to interpret between the two. Your coin, in this set of scans, appears dark enough to worry about. A red flag is the similarity of finish between fields and devices as expressed by that darkness; it means both areas should have about the same finish in-hand, perhaps indicative of cleaning and evocative because the coin doesn't seem to show enough wear to have reached this point naturally.

Another (important) point he may be considering is the halos around the stars and edge of the devices. Under any imaging system, those are an immediate red flag for cleaning.

He was also wise enough to emphasize that it's not possible to form firm opinions from one set of images of a coin, of any quality. That caveat should be a universal stipulation in numismatics; those of us who do a lot of imaging (raises hand) naturally weave the thought into our workflow. And scans, from the viewpoint of a photographer, are actively trying to lie to me.

 

Well SuperDave, I have learned a lot here so far. I was actually just getting started, I have many nice Coins, Tokens and other items I wanted to know more about, but I think I will just let it go.
Scan a coin, take it out of the two by two. So I did, still everyone critical, telling (Washington Quarter WV) me what I was holding in my hand was an optical illusion.
Saw another guy put up pictures of some low note serial numbers he was proud of. Two or three people very critical of his pictures. Instead of saying nice score or something nice, no one could.
So a guy like me collecting 52 years, knowing when a coin is cleaned or not, not having anyone to discuss Coins with, I thought this might be a good place. Ask questions, learn more and so forth. This is not a friendly place, I am not trying to sell anybody anything or trade, I don't do either, just buy.
I wont be scanning anymore pics. People here are pretty mean and down right rude, not to mention knowing more about your coins than you do.

 

Try the Ancients forum on Cointalk. Different vibe.

 

IMO, a lot of Cointalk forums are just a competition over who can make the snarkiest comment. It becomes all about "winning" the argument and making everyone bow to your almighty knowledge.

On the other side, it's hard not to get sick of all the folks who join here and proceed to tell everyone that they are right and the world is wrong. It's mind numbing.

 

It's really simple. If you post an image that makes the coin look cleaned, folks are going to say it's cleaned. There is nothing mean or rude about giving an honest opinion of a coin. I'm thinking the OP ask for opinions. With a proper image it's possible that folks would have a different opinion.

 

How do you suppose I feel now, having busted my butt to try and put together a conciliatory post only for you to disrespect me for looking out for you. You're correct; this isn't a very pleasant place, but you're part of that unpleasantness.

Don't worry; I won't disturb you with knowledge again.

 

It is really simple

I was speaking of the majority of posters Dave. No worries, I am the one that needs to depart. You all have fun and enjoy.

 

Good by.

 

The brown spot on the reverse by the neck looks like it has been clean, but again the scan is not good and so can see the lustre.