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Message:: [QUOTE="Kirkuleez, post: 2248594, member: 36864"]There are several things to look at to determine if a coin is uncirculated or may have been cleaned. Two cent pieces are inherently challenging to grade overall because the strikes weren't always properly aligned, and they weren't always fully struck. The "we" on the top of the ribbon is a good starting point, but not always the best indication of grade. Take this coin for instance;[ATTACH=full]444494[/ATTACH]now I don't know the TPG grade of this coin, but it looks like a fine example of a MS-65 RB to me. It has nice color, nice luster and is basically fully struck. This is an above average large date '64 and should be the benchmark of what you are seeking as a mint state example of the series. On the other hand, the 64 that you are asking about has a somewhat unnatural color, kind of an oily look and has a major distraction near the date. This can very easily be a mint made planchet flaw, or can very easily be damage. It's hard to say one way or another, but why is it so dark?  Easy answer is that it has been cleaned; otherwise it would be the same color as the rest of the coin. This doesn't make the coin uncollectable in anyway, but it certainly limits the coins worth. It would be very easy to get burned on a tiny flaw like this. I would grade the coin AU details based on these observations and would price it more like a problem free VF if I were going for it.[/QUOTE]