Too many collectors call any coin with hairlines "harshly cleaned." You'll know it if you see it. This looks like a typically circulated coin from the image.
I think that it may have been brightened a little, but the photo could also be somewhat over exposed.
Having spent a fair amount of time with these coins, here are a couple of examples.
This 1834, Plain 4 $5 gold has original surfaces. The grade is MS-61, and I agree with that. This piece is typical of a coin that is orginal, but since it's gold, these coins can be bright.
This 1836 half eagle is one of those "MS-58/61" pieces. It is graded MS-61, and it's actually brighter that this when you see it in person. I think this piece spent a century or so slidding around on in a velvet tray.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@BillJones said:
I think that it may have been brightened a little, but the photo could also be somewhat over exposed.
Having spent a fair amount of time with these coins, here are a couple of examples.
This 1834, Plain 4 $5 gold has original surfaces. The grade is MS-61, and I agree with that. This piece is typical of a coin that is orginal, but since it's gold, these coins can be bright.
This 1836 half eagle is one of those "MS-58/61" pieces. It is graded MS-61, and it's actually brighter that this when you see it in person. I think this piece spent a century or so slidding around on in a velvet tray.
Excellent examples Bill. Members should take a look at both of these coins graded MS-61. Learn the difference. IMO, one is an AU that saw actual circulation (closer to AU-50 than MS and not done in a "tray"). The 18136 is an acceptable MS coin. Anyone disagree?
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Without seeing the coin in hand...from your pictures I would say it has a better than 50% chance of being OK.
Based on the pictures, it looks more like handling chatter, not cleaning. Cheers, RickO
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Too many collectors call any coin with hairlines "harshly cleaned." You'll know it if you see it. This looks like a typically circulated coin from the image.
I don't know if it's been cleaned or not. It's an 1884 $5.00 gold piece and I wish I could read the history on this one.
Light abrasive cleaning IMO.
Dave
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I would say typical circulation. Circulation marks just look much worse on the small gold coins.
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I don’t think it’s been cleaned
Obverse rub, not "signs of cleaning." The "brightness" is from the lighting.
I formerly thought that any coin with hairlines was cleaned. I have since changed my thinking. I like "mishandled" or "circulated" better now.
It looks like an AU coin, not cleaned.
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I think that it may have been brightened a little, but the photo could also be somewhat over exposed.
Having spent a fair amount of time with these coins, here are a couple of examples.
This 1834, Plain 4 $5 gold has original surfaces. The grade is MS-61, and I agree with that. This piece is typical of a coin that is orginal, but since it's gold, these coins can be bright.
This 1836 half eagle is one of those "MS-58/61" pieces. It is graded MS-61, and it's actually brighter that this when you see it in person. I think this piece spent a century or so slidding around on in a velvet tray.
Great examples @BillJones
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Great coins @BillJones , as always.
love the 1838 billjones, both are cool
Excellent examples Bill. Members should take a look at both of these coins graded MS-61. Learn the difference. IMO, one is an AU that saw actual circulation (closer to AU-50 than MS and not done in a "tray"). The 18136 is an acceptable MS coin. Anyone disagree?
Esp. coins that sing of signs.
Right, that would make grading easier!