Grading of rare date 1909-O Barber Half

Hi,
I have this 1909-O Barber Half in the raw.
I think Barber coinage is a bit difficult to evaluate and seeking some advice.

Could it get a lower MS-grade…or does it seemed to be cleaned at some point? Looking at it carefully I am kind of missing the frosty surface patina I usually see on say Morgan Dollars that have not been tampered with.

At the same time, I can’t see any polish marks. Around its edges closest to the rim, the surface is kind of “prickly” which could be flow-lines from its strike (?) and I can see the same on PCGS Photograde MS62 for this type. So guess that’s normal.

Anyway, here’s a few photos and would love your second opinion on it. I can also submit more/better photos than these quick cell phone pics if necessary.

Thanks!

 

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Wow that looks shiny/cleaned. Guessing here. Wait for other opinions... Looks like a MS grade....wait for opinions on grade too.

 

I don't know if it's been cleaned but I still think it looks Gorgeous ! It could of been dipped seeing how it's not in a holder ? You think it would somewhat be toned . Like spirit said, keep waiting for more replies . Sorry I couldn't be of more help .

 

It has either been polished, or is a television or Littleton coin, imo

 

Looks a lot like an "as seen on TV" coin. Lovely coin before it got surface stripped.

 

my gut instinct says cleaned.

no 112 year old coin could be that bright and not be cleaned.

The real questions is: is it market acceptable?

 

MS Details cleaned.

 

I agree with the others here...the surface has been altered. MS details, cleaned.

 

Best not to waste your money as it will receive a Details grade due to being cleaned.

 

For sure cleaned. Don't send it in. Not seeing any original luster, just a shined up half.

 

To bad too. It looks like an amazing grade, but it was cleaned

 

Polished, IMHO.

 

MS Details, Polished

 

I'm curious if anybody else thinks it's been plated (or maybe that's what "Littleton coin" means?). The surface texture is odd.

 

Understand your general point, but I've got a bunch of 140-plus year-old Morgans that beg to differ...just as naturally brilliant as the day minted. But in the case of this Barber half, agree "cleaned" at least to some extent.

 

IMO... polished but still valuable

 

I bought a 13-D a few years back which looks similar to this 09-O...NGC graded it AU53. It does have some ware and was cleaned to death.

 

MY opinion; this coin had heavy black toning (corrosion). It was dipped but even dip will not remove corrosion that has raised the surface of the metal. The only way to rid the corrosion is to polish the surfaces. The grainy surfaces that you see in the obverse of the first picture shows the how the black corrosion damaged the surface. The polishing is very evident in the second obverse picture. Note the unnatural shiny chrome like surface. JMO.
Edited to add my grade opinion. MS, details, altered surface.

 

I would have to go along with others in saying it's been cleaned, and appears to be recently.

I believe it is due to a worn die of the period. The outward flow of metal is what I'm seeing.