1826 Bust Half: Too Nice To Be True, Updated

LeeG

On occasion I visit a sellers site that always has coins similar to this one. For some reason they just don't look right to me. Now I'm not going to buy this but just want to get some points of views on this coin. Has it been cleaned or touched up in some way? I know, why isn't it in a Slab? Same questions I'm asking of myself. Just wanted to show some Eye Candy. Thanks, Lee

roadrunner

Not a bad looking AU from the scan. The amount of luster in some areas tends to indicate a cleaning. If this was from consistent wear, I'd expect even luster around the stars and moving into the fields somewhat. Then again, it could be glare from lighting giving it that impression. More than likely the coin has been cleaned pretty good.
There are lots of nice XF and AU bust halves out there unslabbed.
And there are still thousands and maybe tens of thousands still available to meet the standards for slabbing.

roadrunner

Nysoto

The coin has definately been cleaned, from the image alone you cannot determine the severity of the cleaning as you need the view the coin in person to see the hairlines, photography can hide them. I would definately avoid a coin like this, unless it was a very rare variety. Bust coins with evenly bright surfaces are always dipped and/or abrasively cleaned.

Bill

dorkkarl

ONLY buy your coins sight-seen. if you can get a valid return policy, it looks like a coin worth taking a swipe at.

K S

Myqqy

It's been cleaned, and a bust half not being in a slab is not an unusual occurance.....

clackamas

Very possible whizzed, even if it had original luster like that it would have toned in the ~180 years since it was minted and the dip it had to have had would have left the luster more impaired IMO. Beware, IMO.

tsacch

my mistake of a Bust

dorkkarl

<< <i>my mistake of a Bust >>

what do you mean?

K S

OKbustchaser

<< <i>

<< <i>my mistake of a Bust >>

what do you mean?

K S >>



He must mean that now that he has one he's hooked!
Jim

dthigpen

There is no doubt in my mind that this coin has been cleaned; and not in the distant past, either.

OKbustchaser

<< <i>There is no doubt in my mind that this coin has been cleaned; and not in the distant past, either. >>



So what, so have ALL the other "so-called original" bust coins around. Cleaning was routinely done to every coin in one's collection up through the late 1960's. If you don't like the "shininess" of this coin then 6 months to a year in a Kraft coin envelope will take care of it to the point that the TGP's will accept it again.

Jim

billboat

As Okbustchaser said--it's been cleaned and so what?---still a nice coin if you want it--I wouldn't pay original (however you define that term)AU money for it, but unless it's got a lot of hairlines from scrubbing all over it's OK as far as I'm concerned. My favorite part of looking at busties is-- Attribution--IMHO O-110 R2. What do you think, Jim, Nysoto, et. al.??

billboat

Still interested in what others think re: attribution. One of the most entertaining activities on Ebay is trying to find R4s+ that are being auctioned. I've found a few.

Cladiator

I love lurking around on eBay looking for rarity busties. So far I've only found one that has met my "look" requirements and had a good rarity number. 1830 LM-12 R-4 VF20.

LeeG

Some have shown interest in this coin. Current bid is $380 with 11 hours left. If interested I will PM the link upon request. Lee

dorkkarl

link requested

K S

Newmismatist

From the image that coins looks "burnished" or possibly "whizzed" - it's much too bright and there seems to be parrallel hairlines on the coin that are showing up in the image - IF that's what theu are, then there is a reasonable chance that it won't grade at PCGS or NGC and would be "net graded" at ANACS. JMHO with the caveat that grading from computer images is dicey at best - but here the "hairlines" seem to show-up fairly well.

ColonialCoinUnion

I really don't like the look of it -

In my opinion, what once was a nice little AU that has been given a complete overhaul and tire rotation into its current too-lustrous state.

reminds me of attending coin shows in the 1970s, where 65% of all coins in the room were modified AUs described as Gem BU. This would have fit nicely with those coins.

billboat

ttt

Actually what I wanted to say was--Come on bust guys--let us know how you'd attribute this one--drag out your book or 30 years experience and give it a shot--just curious if I was close at O-110 R2. Guess I need to get a life!

OKbustchaser

The original poster's coin appears to be 105...the "mistake" is 112.

Jim

IrishMike

If this seller is who I think it is, an ebay and yahoo seller out of Massachusetts then I can guarantee you that this coin is likel cleaned and whizzed. He uses the same green background device to set his coins in when he photos them and they are photoshopped unmercifully. I purchased a bust from him and quickly returned it, he did refund the money.