I normally don't consider details coins but I ran across this one and I was wondering if the mavens can help me understand the "Improperly Cleaned" grade. Maybe the splotches in the left field of the obverse? The general lack of any luster for an AU grade? An otherwise clean look except for the creases among Liberty's hair locks? Just looking for insight into the cleaning judgement on what otherwise looks like a nice coin.
Being poor , I have several cleaned coins from Largies to Trade Dollars and I like this coin . I grade it AU details but I hate the "Improperly Cleaned " label .
+1 I see them also you just need to zoom/look closer and there there still its a nice early silver dollar i might be able to own one in 10 years.
The toning looks secondary and oh-so slightly dull and monochromatic, as if from an old cleaning, which obviously this was. But at least it has retoned. Better that than a scrubby or overdipped appearance, or a too-shiny polishing or whizzing. As cleaned coins go, it’s not bad at all, and it’s otherwise a high grade example of a valuable early type. So not a cheap coin even as-is, and plenty of people would be plenty proud to own it. Cleaned or not, I certainly couldn’t afford one, even in much lower grade than this.
I’d say theirs is a pretty educated guess, given the color and other indicators. I would tend to agree with their assessment. But yes, a great coin, regardless.
Why the things we do......? Why because we like it. After purchasing my 1851/2 detailed fish scale ....Im still happy knowing that even detailed it 1 of 8 known.....like Rob said affordability, the rariety, and even though this coin has been cleaned ....show me another as nice . Great addition to your collection.
I should mention, however, that I would rather own one in slightly lower grade with a more original appearance. (Speaking purely hypothetically, since I couldn’t afford one of these in almost any condition.) it’s certainly a nice coin and the AU details will make it desirable to many people. I’d rather have a straight-graded XF40 with attractive, contrasting toning, though.
I don’t mind the appearance though probably an old cleaning. It’s not an ugly coin. Though I think overgraded it’s an xf 45 in detail if you ask me. But I bet it makes it into a straight grade holder eventually
Perhaps they think a spot was lifted under first star after the "Y" in "LIBERTY." That looks minor to me. That might be one of those instances where they are looking for more money from a crack-out and re-submission. I experienced that a few times when I was a dealer.
I'm guessing the surfaces are somewhat glossy under the toning. Still a nice looking early dollar, with excellent detail on the eagle and no adjustment marks.
Agree with Eddie. This is a nice coin. Most coins were cleaned back in the day, it would be harder to find one that wasn't. Even very old coins that straight grade probably were cleaned and retoned and if there's no hairlines they straight grade. With leniency given to 222 year old beauties like this. The label doesn't bother me. This is not a problem coin IMO.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts. You provided exactly the kind of opinions I was seeking-both pro and con. I have not decided yet whether to bid on this coin but it is one of only two details-graded Draped Bust-Small Eagle dollars I have seen in the last nine months that I would even consider owning. I have also looked at several dozen straight-graded DB-SE coins from VF-25 to EF-45. Just can't seem to pull the trigger on anything yet.
That is, imo, a beautiful coin. And it is scarce to boot! Regardless...i would be pleased to welcome it into my collection!
I see coins like this a lot. They've usually been retoned darkly after a polishing or cleaning to try and hide it. They always look the same. Flat color, not dynamic.