1802 Large Cent - Rusty Dies or Environmental Damage

ksammut

Another one from this big collection I purchased. I believe this coin has been severely affected by environmental damage of some kind, but the flip it came in claims it was struck with "rusty dies". I'm leaning toward damage, but I thought it would be helpful to double check here. I would not send it to a TPG, but what grade do you think it would be given (obviously details if damaged, but maybe a range would be helpful). Thanks!

FredWeinberg

That coin looks 'Whizzed' to me -

an alteration of the surfaces that
was fairly common to see on coins
back in the '60's and early/mid '70's

(that coin has nothing to do with rusty dies, imo)

CaptMorgans

I think someone may have tried to use electrolysis on this. It often will pit a coin this way.

ksammut

Thanks @FredWeinberg. Too bad that it's damaged.

@CaptMorgans Very interesting. Thanks for the info!

ColoradoCoinGuy

Kenny,
Based on your pic of the edge, I would say that this coin has environmental damage, maybe from being buried in the ground. Rusted dies wouldn't affect the edge of the coin and the edge looks as pitted and as bad as the Obverse and Reverse. There is still a lot of detail visible on this coin. EAC might call this something like VF35 details Net graded to G6 or VG8 or maybe even slightly higher.

amwldcoin

Cleaned and ED!

kaz

Looks corroded but still pretty meaty .

ksammut

Again, that's what I expected. Thanks for your opinions

JBK

Agree with some variation of all the above.

My guess is that it was corroded and scrubbed with a wire brush to clean it up.

BigMoose

This coin looks like a "ground find ", a dug coin likely found with a metal detector, which was then smoothed/whizzed to make it look "better".

ricko

I agree with @BigMoose....Looks like a dug coin... environmental damage followed by a cleaning/whizzing....Cheers, RickO

291fifth

Cleaned to remove corrosion from being buried for a long time. It was then retoned.

notwilight

ED