What are your opinions on this 1836 Half Don't worry, I can take it Bone edited for spelling and to add "I'm pretty sure it's been cleaned at some point." Alas.
That is a beautiful half. Much better than the one in my collection. These are getting harder and harder to find. I'd call it a keeper.
very nice, I would say upper end VF, but it's difficult to say from the picture. Might be EF in hand. clasp appears clear. some flatness in the hair, but overall looks nice to me. Good detail in the stars. Feathers on the reverse look good, with a little rub. The claw has some wear. Again that might be the picture not the coin.
Now that is a nice one....I would have to say a NICE XF....not much wear but the dark color takes it down for me....is there any chance that it has been cleaned...the edge and around the stars are darker than the rest....I would think that would point to cleaning but am not sure. Speedy
That's a tough one. I want to say XF, too, but others might argue that the rub on the cheek and nose, plus the wear on the hair above the eyes makes it VF. If you ask me, the toning makes this piece more desirable. To me, that's eye appeal. beautiful coin.
You know, I was told it was uncleaned, but to me that picture makes it look like it has been cleaned (as you said, "the edge and around the stars are darker than the rest"). Oddly though, it looks much better than the picture and the stars and the open areas look much more evenly shaded and natural, and there isn't as much difference in the coloring. I'll try to take a picture that "looks" more accurate. I don't mind cleaned coins (boo me now), and even sometimes prefer them (really boo me now), but I have to say I really like the natural-ness of this one. Instantly one of my favorites. I'd probably like Bonedigger's example as much though, even if it was cleaned. :: joins the Bonedigger club ::
Many times a pic will show you, or perhaps I should say allow you to see things you missed with the naked eye or a loupe. Other times pics can make things appear to be there that are not. But when you have the coin in hand to compare with the pic - you can determine what the case may be. Also - while darker areas around the devices and protected areas may be a sign of cleaning, it is by no means definitive in and of itself. It is only an indication that should cause you to examine the coin closer and see if there other signs as well. If there are no other signs of cleaning, then odds are the coin has not been cleaned. For it is natural for a coin to tone more darkly in those same areas.
