Does this Trade dollar look like it's been harshly cleaned to you?
TennesseeDave
Posts: 4,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm constantly looking for nice, circulated examples to add to my Trade dollar collection. I found one I thought I might bid on that's graded AU-58 Chop marked by PCGS. But it appears to me that the right half of the obverse may have been harshly scrubbed at some point. Maybe it's die polishing lines, but that's why I'm asking for opinions here. Does the following coin look like it has been cleaned to you?
Trade $'s
0
Comments
Looks like die polish lines with some damage from the chop marks to me.
A PCGS graded AU58 would not be harshly cleaned by default.
Looks somewhat original, not "harshly" cleaned at all. Luster looks pretty decent.....that would not be the case if it was cleaned. If you can, get a close look at those obverse lines....If they are raised, then you have die polish. Let us know.
Looks like PMD to me, the scratches go around the stars rather than under them.
I don't have the coin; I was looking to possibly bid on it in an upcoming auction.
I'm only referring to right side of the obverse as to the area of possible cleaning or die polishing.
If it's straight graded by a major grading service, then that's probably die polish rather than hairline scratches from a harsh cleaning.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Whatever it is I don't like the moth eaten appearance on the leg, the arm and in the field behind the arm.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
There is the off chance the straight grade is a mechanical error.
As far as the stars, it appears the tops of them are untouched
Also a chance its in a counterfeit holder.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
That's damage transferred from a chopmark on the opposite side of the coin.
@MsMorrisine "As far as the stars, it appears the tops of them are untouched"
Agree, and you would think they should show some scratches somewhere.
On the other hand I would expect with how heavy the scratches are that some of them would have come a little closer to the stars. The stars kinda show a halo and most times with die polish the lines go right up to the design element.
It also seems strange to me that only one side of the die would need to be polished.
Don't listen to me because Trade $'s are not something I deal with often.
I thought those obv rough areas looked like rusted die surfaces. IMO. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
I can't imagine something that appears to be so obvious would be overlooked, ergo they must be die polish lines (unless it's getting the S/CC pass...). Distracting for sure, at least based on the photo angle and lighting.
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
I scrolled through the Heritage sold listings for a couple of pages and I don't see any other examples that have the entire right field full of polish lines; not very scientific I know but you'd think there would be a few others in there with similar surfaces.
There is no way I would accept that coin as a straight grade AU58.
Die polish.
And yet distracting.
And yet chopmarked..
Die polish like this on a 58 without chops? I'd probably just look for a smooth one.
With chops? Its kind of cool IMO.
Just another layer of the story this coin is telling, right?
Not a Trade but it shows how the polish lines don't stop before they hit the stars.
The 75s/cc isn’t known with significant die polish esp an early die state like that. I believe that is a glamor shot with a 4000k light imparting color where there is little. I don’t think it will be to your standards Dave
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Looks like it got the steel wool treatment.
That’s right - and they don’t go over the top of the stars either...
another way to look is whether the line itself is horizontally converse rather than convex - which is difference between a hairline and a die polish line! But need strong magnification to see that tho. Good luck with this one
I looked at that coin online also. I am looking for a nice chopmarked trade for my type set. Something about the coin turned me off. The look just seemed funny. Not original at all in my opinion
But I have not seen it in hand
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-6YC06/1875-scc-trade-dollar-type-ii-fs-501-chopmark-au-55-pcgs
Another example. You can see this on the opposite side of chopmarks. It is perfectly normal, but not everyone's cup of tea and can be alarming/distracting.
As for the hairlines, they are die polish and can be seen on some examples, though that is a really nice exposition of it.
Thats funny I have held well over a 100 different S/CCs from low VF to MS64 and I have never seen one with dramatic die polish. Do you have a picture other than the current example?
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Die polish vs hairlines... yes, it's TPG graded, but I still don't like the looks of that particular piece. I'd love to know what the final hammer price will be...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.