What would you grade this coin? My suspicion is that it has been cleaned, but I'm not seeing any scratches in the field.
Hard to give it a grade with the darkness of the images, but I think I'd call it an AU-53 based on what I can see remaining of the WE. The color really doesn't look too bad to me; don't forget that they are made of a bronze alloy and don't quite darken as readily as a copper coin.
Looks high AU with some strike weakness. I don't like the color as some pink shows but surface "coming back" from possible old CL. Coin needs conservation and more natural color and will probably straight grade. Oh forgot, just IMO.
The color on the reverse gives me pause. It has some splotchy spittle marks and finger prints on it, but "full red" at the lower left reverse inconsistent with the rest of the coin. If there is a sign of polishing here, it'll never grade. Also, there's some gunk on the obverse in the wreath by the left arrowhead that would have to be removed. The obverse overall color doesn't look bad.
Au details environment damage. It looks more like corrosion that someone tried to clean off. Or improperly rinsed dip that attacked the coin
I can agree with the "improperly rinsed dip" theory, I suppose. The color is suspect and there are deposits as well. To me the coin has strong details and I'd agree AU details, but slightly negative eye appeal, unfortunately.
