Cleaned 1877 IHC?

This key date 1877 Indian Head Cent is up for auction on eBay. It's a pretty coin. It's in good shape, but does not appear to be slabbed.

Some how the color looks a little off. It looks like it's been cleaned and re-toned. Although in the photos the color is appealing, it still worries me.

Opinions?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270729320883&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

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It does have the cleaned and retoned look to it... I wonder if those colors aren't from blue ribbon?

 

For any "big purchase" I would stick to a trusted dealer.

 

...and get one that's been slabbed by a reputable TPG.

 

didnt know having a damaged vf key date could for no reason become xf+.

 

I have never trusted great southerns pictures, because of that alone I have never bought from them. The picture certainly makes the coin look cleaned. Not sure I would call it XF either, but just my opinion.

 

1. The seller has a bad reputation.

2. Why even consider such a coin if it's not been slabbed.

 

I'll agree with what was stated above. For a coin like that, I'd find a nice reputable dealer with a slabbed example by a reputable TPG.

 

I guess the question is, are you willing to bid on a key date coin like this, knowing it's a problem coin, but with the potential that you could score a substantial discount? I think the rim dings at 1030 and the possible cleaning will keep this coin from being slabbed as anything but 'genuine' or 'damaged'.

But it is an 1877 Indian Head, the key to the series. Tough to find in any grade, let alone VF or better. It's a pretty example of a hard to find date.

I wonder how close to greysheet VF it goes?

 

I beg to differ. This seller will take the coin back, no questions asked. Bid to win and decide for yourself after it is hand. Bid on it though with the understanding it will likely not grade as original surfaces.

 

Here is a better one that will like go for less and you won't have the heart ache of dissappointment after submission.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1877-NGC-VF-Details-Colorful-Toned-Key-Date-Indian-Cent-/320680556542?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item4aaa0cf7fe#ht_6427wt_938

 

I'd rather have a no problem coin , but that's the great part of coin collecting you buy what you like .
From the pics it's not a bad looking coin .
Rusty

 

Anytime you want a graded example VF or better I think I can find one. Now au or ms might be a different story.

 

Problems are in the eye of the beholder. If he likes the appearance of the coin but not the fact that it's slabbed as a "problem" coin then he could always just bust it out of the slab and stick it in his Whitman folder. So long as the coin would fit in nicely with the rest of his dates what difference does it make what NGC says about it. Lets face it, no one can guarantee with 100% certainty that any coin is problem free no matter how perfect it may look. It could have been gently cleaned 1oo years ago and even a respected TPG could mistakenly slab it as problem free. Buy the coin, not the holder.

 

I had two bad experiences with GS, a couple of years ago when he had 4,000 feedback. He now has over 40,000. His photos are juiced and his descriptions exaggerated. I won a good-looking raw Barber dime ("MS64+++!") that, in hand, had been over-dipped into lifelessness; then an NGC-slabbed V-nickel that looked gorgeous in the listing and nothing like it in hand: stains on Liberty's face and neck were concealed in the pics.

He's (or they are) making a fortune on people who don't know what they're getting or are too afraid to leave bad feedback if they're displeased. That's my sense anyway. He gives the appearance of integrity in his listings; sure, you can return things, as I did, but I'll bet very few do.

And he's counting on exactly what you wrote: "the potential that you could score a substantial discount."

Is it really worth it?

 

it's not a he... they did over 8 million in sales on eBay last year. The bigger point that can't be ignored is that there are still far more who like the coins that they sell than those who don't. Collect what you like and don't solicit comments from the moral minority and everyone will be happy!

 

Could be re-toned.

 

I agree , as long as he gets it at a price a cleaned and retoned coin warrants .
Rusty

 

its already above that IMO - 1362? pretty sure you can get a decent problem free 1877 ihc with that.

 

Holy Cow, 43831 Feedbacks @ 100%??? (Profile page shows 14 negative in the last six months?!) I'd venture to say this IS a credible dealer! 7 day return policy. Worth a shot if your game, Race!
Steve