I like the way it looks, but is it too shiny? Do you think it's dipped? 1929 Standing Liberty Quarter
If you're lucky. I've heard nothing but bad things about the seller's raw coins. One word that comes to mind rhymes with "preened."
From the same Seller, bidding just ended on a raw 1920 SLQ. Seems a bit overbid at $190!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920-Standi...3e7f7f32a:g:01kAAOSwFqJWjcI3&autorefresh=true
This seller has found a way to really juice up his images. Beyond all common sense, I've bought a couple of coins from this seller that looked like they were the proper patina, but was extremely disappointed every time. I now know how to quickly return to sender and wait for a refund.
There is really no sure fire way to tell if a coin is PROPERLY dipped in a photo UNLESS...If you see a dull gray patch it may indicate that dark oxidation was dipped off the surface in that spot (after the surface had already become etched under the toning). Unless the black oxidation that was removed is on the coin's edge or rim, it is useless to try to restore the gray etched surface because 10 times out of 10 you will make it more noticeable.
I know this coin is unpopular with most who posted here, but I like the look of it, and would buy it if I saw it at a shop for $90, or less. I bought a raw 1926 Oregon Trail commem from L & C coins over the phone that was graded AU. They did not mention it was polished, which I did not appreciate, but I still kept it.
I honestly don't like the design, but this particular one caught my attention. I think it looks very nice in the photos. I might just enter a lowball bid. Can't go wrong with that.
In the case of this particular coin, we don't know if there really is a problem. Seems like everyone is just speculating that it has a problem because it looks too good or cause the sellers reputation. If the idea that this coin could have a problem prevents folks from bidding and allows me to snag it for well below it's problem-free market value then I will take the chance. If it is cleaned it's not harshly cleaned (such as brushed or scrubbed). My guess is maybe dipped, again IF cleaned. Also there are a lot of collectors that don't consider dipped as cleaned or anywhere near as bad as harshly cleaned.
Since I'm into Registry Sets my coins all have to be slabbed. Hence I'm VERY careful about buying raw coins. If a coin can't be slabbed it does me no good. There is one VERY prominent dealer I've bought raw coins from. Out of the 4 coins I've bought 2 of them ended up in DETAILS holders. Fortunately we have an agreement that if a coin doesn't slab as original I get my money back. So I haven't lost anything BUT the delay between buying, getting slabbed and returning for refund is measured in months which is annoying.
This is a good idea since I have bought too many raw coins over the phone from L & C coins in past years with unmentioned problems i. e. polished, over graded, lightly damaged. However, their PCGS slabbed coins are decent, so I won't entirely discredit them.
In your case it makes sense to stay away from any possible detail grade coins. As you mentioned, the time and money invested into grading is probably not worth taking chances. Sounds like you got a good honest dealer to work with too. Since he/she refunds after months of waiting for grade results.
Dippety do dah. Or worse. Unquestionably a cleaned au. To me wouldn't buy it over melt but that's me id rather wait for a nice original skin and luster one especially of a common date
I don't buy suspected cleaned coins at any price, no matter how they look. To me, it is a waste of tight collecting dollars better used for something else. That's just me.