Welcome. Before I give you my opinion, I should like to hear what you think about the coin. That's what our grading class instructor did. So... What do you think about the color? Is the coin Unc? Do you see any trace of wear? Is the coin original? Hopefully, other members will let you reply first. Even if you know nothing about coins, let's hear what you see in the photos. That will start you on the way to becoming a grader. For example: I see a tiny rim nick about 5 oc on the reverse. Easy right?
I see that nick, along with possible scuffing on the word WE on the front, also what looks like little bits of verdigris, to me the coin looks uncirculated but i'm not sure how those particular things effect grading
They'll criticize it for the light scratches. I like it and it's got some original surface still on it.
Not to complicate it too much, but the fact that the WE is somewhat flattened is not necessarily the result of wear or circulation. Two cent pieces often display that particular weakness even in the higher MS grades. Knowing these details about a particular series is very important for grading accuracy. I practice grading every time that I get back change. It was something that my grandmother always did and I've had that same habit for over thirty five years now. I would like to think that it has helped along the way, but I know that some cashiers have looked at me and wondered if they gave me the wrong change a few times since I was looking at it so hard.
Why do I think it was cleaned? Several reasons. 1st, the coin is 150 years old and in good condition. Which means someone held on to it 100+ years ago. In those days coins were routinely cleaned to keep them shiny, without knowing they were damaging the surface. The areas that may show cleaning, under the weak strike S in States to the top left of the wheat stalk on the reverse. And the bottom right at 5 o'clock on the wheat stalk, those areas do not look like original luster to me. On the obverse the left arrowhead at 10 o'clock. Cleaning copper will give that almost orange shine to high points. I don't have the coin in hand, so I hope I am wrong and it is indeed luster. I like the 2 cent series.
I appreciate the detailed answers that everyone has provided, i'm still trying to learn this stuff. I've added another picture that shows the coin at an angle, i'm not sure if that changes anything on the suspected cleaning argument. Also, would anyone take a shot at a value of this? I think I paid a fair price, given the unknowns.
Certainly a nice looking coin, and prob looks better in hand then in photos. Personally I think 90% of old silver and copper coins have been cleaned at some point. Even if yours was, it may have retoned after many years.
