I did not see that coming...

This one hurts my wallet and my ego. Thought it was a sure fire 55. I'm into it $330 now.

 

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Sorry to hear that. The "halo" around the devices, like the stars, is usually a sign it has been cleaned. I learned this the hard way when I first started buying Morgans.

 

Ouch! Crack it and resubmit...........

 

Shoot........

It is a lovely coin though.

 

Maybe give it a little toning time on the windowsill before resubmitting...

 

That’s residual luster. The halos you are talking about are the result of being dipped.

 

They were harsh on that one. That certainly does not fit their pattern of slabbing lightly-cleaned bust coins.

 

That is one great looking coin for being rated an AU details.
I will never understand how the tpg can classify a coin 180 years old as being cleaned unless it has harsh score marks visible. I would venture any coin this old has been cleaned sometime along the line. Maybe they need to make a special classification just for cleaned coins. G - VG - F - etc.
JMHO - Dave

 

I would let it sit some where and grow a skin, might still come back cleaned though. Just looks a little dull.

 

There's still unmolested luster on both sides when you rotate it. I dunno... I disagree but I am just going to cut my losses and auction it off starting at a buck. Let someone else dump money into it. PCGS ain't getting another dollar from me on this one.

 

Most of these coins have been cleaned. This one should be straight graded, I have seen much worst not detail graded.

 

I think it's a great coin, and would fill a Type Set hole.

 

List it on Ebay as : GREAT DETAILS!
90% of these old silver and copper coins have been cleaned.
I can only assume they are referring to the cleaning scratches on the obverse that go horizontal by the date, left and right field, and near the head, on the reverse above the eagles head.
Still a very nice coin.

 

No! As Chris (medoraman) stated above, many of these coins have been cleaned in the past, and as such, special dispensation has been given...........I think the grade is a raw deal......

 

Though, to actually qualify as a 'raw deal'. the coin would have to have to sent to me for an 'in hand' view........

 

Painful, yes, but I think you're very smart in your approach (if you know what I mean). Who knows, it may just work out.

 

Man, that stinks. But if the eye appeal of cleaned coins followed a normal distribution (bell curve), this 1838 half dollar would definitely be at the right end of the curve.

 

I could see someone get it in a problem free holder, I've seen worse that were straight graded

 

Always been one of my favorite designs. I don't care for the reverse of the 1836-37, but I like the 1838-39. Nice coin regardless of the slab.