Help with understanding "Burnished" on this 1787 Massachusetts half Cent???
Windycity
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This coin is now graded "Uncirulated Details - Burnished" and I guess I don't know what the grading companies are seeing to declare this piece burnished. Welcome the help of the experts.
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My guess is that in hand, the coin displays an unnatural, overly shiny sheen.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Well, it does photograph well! Great details, some visible lustre, nice color…
Unfortunately, finding evidence of a light burnishing through a photo is tough.
Two pieces of good news:
Collectors of colonial coins are generally forgiving of the sorts of things that can happen to a coin during a 230+ years existence. Many of those collectors care little for ‘slabs.’
Unless the burnishing is obvious in hand, the next ‘grading event’ for that coin may be more favorable.
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
Yes, this.
This one is graded MS-64 Brown. The coin should have a satiny look, not a shine or sheen.
It must be relatively slight and subtle.
I’m used to seeing burnished early large cents where the lettering takes on a rounded, almost flowed appearance.
I found a similar looking MS64 that sold via Heritage on 8/22/22 that looks very similar. Go figure!!
While I don’t know what either coin looks like in hand, based on the pictures, they look noticeably different to me.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I like the coin. A lot.
Smitten with DBLCs.