I'm going AU55, and it got a pass on the cleaning. I *think* they tend to be more forgiving on this series when it comes to old-ish cleanings. Besides, this doesn't look all that bad to me compared to the 20 centers I've seen.
I went AU58, I don't know this coin at all but compared it to other seated silver coins and pulled out a grade estimate. There's a few distracting scratches mostly in the obverse fields but not enough to warrant a details grade IMO. The reverse has got me thinking it is a slightly weak strike, but I'm not seeing much wear, I'll be interested to see what everyone else thinks and eagerly await the reveal as I don't have much experience with this type of coin.
AU-53. It's a weak strike on the obverse from K10 to K5. The head, stars, foot show not much wear but mostly weak strike. There are numerous small scratches in the obverse field and devices but that is from circulation, not cleaning. The reverse is a solid 55 from a wear standpoint. Wear is evident on the center of the eagle's breast. Reverse has some weak strike at claws, arrow feathers, and denomination. The MM looks mushy behind the fogged slab. I'd like to see a clear shot of that. The coin, like almost all 19th century silver has been cleaned in the past. It is hard for me to tell if the staining and some uneven toning is a result of that old cleaning or the result of being in circulation. In either event, I find the various staining, blotches and what appear to be encrustations distracting and unattractive. While I don't want to indulge in projection, I think the TPGs would find it so also. I think I can see some luster but it appears muted to me, so from a luster standpoint, I see it as no better than a low AU. Despite the above, I think it straight-graded but I think the TPG knocked it down from a possible low-end 55 to a 53. Net and Market-Grading and all that, dontcha know. I have to stop. My wife's kitten is helping me type.
What a beauty! I think AU55. I'm not an expert in the series by any means, but it appears relatively well struck and a good amount of original detail remains - the shield, the eagle's feathers, the claws, and the detail in the stars. However, there also appears to be a decent amount of minor contact marks on the fields. To @Publius2's point, it's likely this might've been cleaned over the past 146 years, but luckily, I don't think I see any marks indicative of harsh cleaning which would render the coins ungradeable. Again, not an expert, but that's my guess.
I voted AU details, but there has been a trend lately to post deceptive photos so it could be anywhere from AU 50 to MS63.
When's the reveal? I need to see if I'm a genius or a goat! Seriously, I have worked hard to assimilate grading lessons from various resources, including not least these GTG exercises.
Yours was outstanding. I was waiting for a few more responses. But, you were extremely thorough. The only thing I might disagree with slightly is the nature of the toning, but yours was by far, a “best post.”
I'm thinking about AU53, looks like some rub on Liberty's high points; I think the original skin is gone probably from dipping and I wonder if some of the brownish color is from an incomplete rinse. Eye appeal, to me, is somewhat negative.