Hello everybody, This is my first post and I am wondering if anybody could help me out. I have an 1878 cent in what I think is about F-VF condition but appears to be cleaned. From my photos do you agree or disagree with this assesment and what do you think it might be worth to a buyer? Thanks! https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/rieb/web/Coins/100_0401.jpg?uniq=-der9ls https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/rieb/web/Coins/100_0404.jpg?uniq=-der9lm
to CoinTalk meister. I don't know much about the value of IHCs, but sad to say, yours might just as well be carrying this sign:
I would say its a vf-20 to vf-30 details. IMO it has been cleaned, but it appears to me that it was some time ago. My personal opinion is that if it was listed on ebay, I think it would bring as much or more than an uncleaned F is bringing, maybe between F and VF-20. This is a tough date and there are many harsher and more recently cleaned '70s IHC doing fairly well on ebay. As usual, JIMO. Coins are hard to grade from photos only. Here is a rather complete IHC grading guide from an expert. http://www.indiancent.com/market/grading.pdf
Hey thanks for your help everybody! It looks like my fears have been confirmed. Now that I know the coin has been cleaned in the distant past, is there anything that can be done other than wait another hundred some years to return the patina? Would putting the coin in an album such as a Dansco help the "retoning" process. I guess what I would like to know is if the coin will return to a more normal color within my lifetime or is this permanent?
The problem I forsee is that no one can tell you exactly how the "retoning" will affect the appearance of the coin. Maybe OK,but more likely it will be spotty and bad sorry to say. There are probably 10+ common copper retoning formulas that could retone the coin, but you probably wouldn't like the effect. Yes, close contact with acid bearing, non-archival paper or cardboard can cause retoning, but see above. Since it is a good date, you could (1)keep it for your collection, (2)sell it and buy an uncleaned replacement, (3) just sell or trade for something you want, or (4) Maybe some year soon, cleaning will become OK again, as it probably was accepted when your cleaning was done, and the value will not be affected. I would do (1) myself. JMO.
Many copper coins that have been cleaned can be left out on a window seal for months or more and they will usually retone! Insure that no moisture accumulates on the window seal as it may cause the coin to corrode. Due to the uneveness of the color on your coin, this may affect the general outcome of retoning. Frank
It has been harshly cleaned, and has VF details. You will probably get the most money selling on eBay, where this may go for anywhere between $30 and $70.
