So, I am no expert grader especially grading coins on ebay. Even when those coins are in holders. I ran across this auction, if anyone wants to actually save the coin in question and post it separate from the auction ad, feel free. I thought it would be a good discussion. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1861-Seated...797466?hash=item33ba971c5a:g:JPIAAOSwbYZXdzNP Looking at it, to me it doesn't look cleaned. I see no scratches or harsh hairlines or anything of the sort. However this doesn't stop it from being chemically cleaned either. I have no experience in chemically cleaning anything. So I don't know if my assessment here is incorrect. A common date, yet a nice strike, at least to me and example. Did ANACS get it right or wrong? If it is cleaned I would guess chemical. I would rule out whizzing because, ( correct me if I am wrong ) it would show at least some sort of "artificial" polished luster wouldn't it?
I believe they got it right, look at the area by the foot and around the date. I think it's a nice coin good for a 7070 Dansco.
The thing is, a coin like this could eventually find it's way into a problem-free holder, even if it had a spot cleaning or light wipe decades ago. Does that mean the cleaning magically "went away?" No. It means a grading service declared it market acceptable. I've done this myself. Sent an AU bust half to PCGS and it came back cleaned. Cracked it and sent to NGC and it came back AU55. I did nothing to the coin. Just sent it to 2 different TPG'S. So.... is that bust half cleaned?
To me, after seeing so many coins, I just care if the cleaning is obvious and detracts from the coin's appearance. If it's good enough for one of the top three TPGs, then it's probably good enough for me. Of course, I'm still an amateur at this and my taste/pocketbook aren't quite to where a lot of the collectors out there are.
Its definitely cleaned you can see the portions of original surface that didn't quite come off but to that point like many others have said it doesn't necessarily mean it couldn't find its way into a problem free slab. Look at some of the coins that have been dipped and are blast white.
Thanks for your replies. The skin on the obverse did look kind of off. Thanks, what a great study guide.
