I bought this coin from a local dealer about 10 years ago and just recently submitted it. It came back from NGC as "improperly cleaned". The guy at the store examined it before I sent it in, and after it came back, and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. What did NGS object to? I hope these pics are good enough. Maybe I should stop spending so much on coins and buy a better camera.
It looks like it may have been a jewelry piece at one point. Do you see the dark ring going across the left stars on the obverse? It may not turn out to be a jewelry piece, but if it is, it was probably polished for jewelry's sake.
Well since I am at work I can't see the pictures - but even the best dealers and most knowledgable have coins come back body-bagged. Who knows - submitting it to PCGS might get it back graded. Just a couple of comments - will have to wait until I see the pictures.
If that coin comes back slabbed - ever - I will have lost all faith in NGC. It is extremely obvious that the coin has been harshly cleaned. And Mill Rat - do indeed find another dealer. Because if he can't tell with the coin in hand, you sure don't want to buy coins from him.
I can't believe that a dealer could not see in hand what I see in these pictures. I see harsh cleaning lines on the reverse over by the E Pluribus.... On the obv, you have the dark line which I agree looks like a mark from an old jewelry bezel and alot of vertical cleaning lines along the right edge by the stars. I am not talking a light cleaning here.
I agree, there is harsh cleaning especially visible on the stars on the right. Also the rim doesnt look too great either.
Hmm, thanks guys. Live and learn. I do see the scratches on the reverse above the e pluribus unum and there seems to be an imprint on the back from the "bezel line" - from below United though Pl down to the branch.
Mill Rat, Your coin in post 11 is harshly cleaned not whizzed. Whizzing would be an attempt at removing those hair line scratches with say a dremmel.
