Hey, coin experts, I'm looking for some help understanding some nicks on a coin I just bought. This is the picture: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8330846010&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT The nicks are barely visible in the picture, but now that I have the coin in hand, here's what I see: There are three rim nicks apparent on the reverse at about 3 o'clock, 8:30, and 10:30. Each of these seems to have a similar and somewhat unnatural shape, as if each had been gouged by a chisel coming in at the same angle relative to the edge of the coin. Also, each nick seems to have some white residue deep inside the nick. However, I also see very small amounts of similar whitish residue scattered here and there on both sides of the coin, so this residue may not be unique to the nicks, but may simply have accumulated there because the nicks are so deep. Does anybody know anything about these kinds of nicks on a half cent of this age? Could this coin have be mounted at one time in some kind of jewelry? Would these nicks cause this coin to come back in a body bag if I sent them to PCGS or NGC? Thanks.
From what I understand I don't think NGC or PCGS will bodybag that coin but I might be wrong...as I understand it a rim nick is only noted in the grade in higher UNC grades...in lower grades its just something that happens... If it has been cleaned then it would come back in a BB... Speedy
Someone else also guessed "polish." I don't know. Doesn't smell minty, but it's still in a cardboard 2x2, where I think it must stay if I want to retain my option to return it. I'm no expert, but it doesn't look cleaned -- no obvious scratches, and a dark color that seems consistent with old copper. Maybe there's some way to clean a copper coin without giving it a garish appearance, but I had thought not.
I think there is a strong possibility the coin was mounted as jewelry and I also think it has been cleaned. Just my opinion.
It's opinions I'm asking for, so thanks. If it was mounted as jewelry, that ups the odds that it was cleaned at the time it was mounted, if not some other time. It's color is grayer than my other old cents, if that is any indication. I know if it was cleaned, it would come back in a body bag. If it was just mounted, would it come back in a body bag?
I'm with the others. Before even reading the thread, my first response was "polished". I'm also wondering about the color. I know copper is highly reactive and can be almost any color, but I'm wondering now if this is a replica.
I'd about decided I would return this coin, but your speculations are making me wish I could know the real truth here. I'd be amazed if it were a replica (would "fake" be the more appropriate term?), but I guess I've only seen a total of 3 old large cents/half cents up close and personal, so I'm probably an easy one to fool. (I still think I'll return the coin).
I'd say the coin is real. I don't think it has been mounted. The rim nicks are unfortunate and severe enough to be distracting but not overly so. I do think the coin has been cleaned or messed with at some time. I don't trust the photo to be an accruate representation of the color of the coin so I can't tell how harsh the cleaning was. If it wasn't too bad ten it could be worth what was paid for it, but it wasn't a bargin.
