Well here is a new one. Got this earlier for $15. It has what I would call blotches all over it. Is this water damage or is it something else ? I've not seen another coin like this. Help please !
I'll not speculate about any earlier steps in this coin's history, but what I'm seeing here strongly SCREAMS to me, "I have been artificially toned, most likely to try to hide that nasty gash at the jawbone." 1904-O is too common a date, even in gorgeous PL, to mess around with this "Uglymeister". Here is one recipe to create what you see here. Mix thiourea, an alkali base like baking soda, water, a glass baking dish, and a low temperature oven setting like ohhh, 250 or so. Mix. Wait. VOILA! What you see here.
I would second that guess. Untypical toning for a coin with pristine surfaces, but fairly common on messed with coins. I would go with previously cleaned and retoned as well.
