i know this was blessed by PCGS ... but doesnt this coin up for bid on ebay look cleaned? http://cgi.ebay.com/1801-DRAPED-BUS...em&pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1c12dd43f4
It appears this one has been dipped several times...I would avoid it and wait for one with better surfaces....The cleaning is still acceptable in the eyes of TPGs though. 1801 Die Marriage BB-211, B-1, R-2 PUPs are: Wide Date Obverse Short Arrow/Normal “T” Reverse
The general opinion is that most (75-80%?) 19th century coins have been cleaned at one time. And generally the cleaning was done in the 19th century when toning was not in favor. So when the TPGs received these coins they had two choices: - body bag them (remember slabbing coins as "Genuine" is a recent innovation) - ignore the cleaning if it is old and isn't excessive (definition?) and slab them with grades
I agree with Kanga for those observations. However, I don't like the dull luster on it. So unless the coin is exceedingly rare (which also means too expensive for me) I would only buy coins I would be proud to own and look at. So the final choice is up to you. It's a great coin series,though. One of my objectives is to put together a type set of the earliest US dollars in fine. Obviously, this would require a financial commitment on my part, so right now, it's still a dream. But you have one of those coins, so cleaned or not, it's more than what I have.
Really? I saw a 1795 dollar that was graded by PCGS that had improperly clean on it, but it retoned very nicely, at first glance it was hard to tell it had been cleaned.
I have noticed as well that the TPGS have far more leaway with early coins, you have to remember back in the day cleaning wasn't just common it was encouraged. early collectors would have cleaned there coins (the term "cabinet rub" comes to mind) in my opinion as long as it wasn't done harshly it's acceptable
My point was that the TPG'ers allow considerable allowances for these coins. I wasn't making a "call" that they would grade and slab each and every one.....:smile
I figured that, and they shouldn't, but my thought was they might have let this one slide because it retoned nicely almost to an original looking one, while this one stands out as cleaned.
The difference between the two coins was likely that the 1795 dollar, which was noted as cleaned, had been cleaned abrasively and acquired hairlines all over it whereas this 1802 dollar was likely dipped without having been cleaned abrasively. There is a huge difference in surface appearance when the coins are in-hand.
Sadly i do not own it i saw it at a show, even though it was cleaned it still brought a pretty penny... $10,000. As for abrasive cleaning i dont really think so because i didnt see many uniform hairlines, but not having the coin to look at now, i cant be for sure
