Tell owner to get it conserved - if he won't pass. Don't chase future trouble unless it is really cheap and you can crack/conserve it and make money.
Yes, that is an accurate image. The group image is pretty poor, but here is my showcase if you want to see more of them up close. https://www.cointalk.com/showcase/braided-hair-large-cents.80/
If it was me I would return the coin if possible. I now look specifically for large cents without that kind of dirt or look around the devices. Something like these - I specifically look in the VF to XF range. It really helps eliminate a lot of what I look at on places like ebay. Sometimes it is tough to find them. Just my opinion.
Ok - sent the first one one back - got this one in the mail today and I really like it. Esoterica - I think it's an N-5. Very sweet old copper coin. Thanks for the help.
Very nice pickup, and I believe that it is an N-5. But since I opened my Newcomb, I decided to give mine a once over and realized that it's not an N-4, but I'm not sure what it is now. I need to pull it out and take another look (and image).
The original coin I'd have cracked given a soak in verdicare maybe a little toothpick work and sent it back in expecting at least a 45 grade