Altered Surface

Rogerd

I sent this coin into PCGS for grading and variety verification. It came back with the comment of altered surface and no vam identification since it did not grade. Can anyone tell me if they believe this has an altered surface? Cleaned? I believe that this is a vam 4, but cant tell if it could be an early die state. Could the vam people take a look and tell me what they think.







Thanks for your help.

ahooka454

looks like a past cleaning. not harsh though, as to the vam question. i dont know, someone here will for sure.

SilverEagles92

Definitely altered surfaces. It's hairlined to a great extent.

sinin1

the area below the chin looks played with

can you see the parallel lines going east/west?

noy sure on the VAM

what kind of grade were you hoping for?

DorkGirl

Looks like an O/S. But yes, cleaned.

Rogerd

I was hoping to see an AU grade. When I look at it with my 10 power magnifier, it sure looks like to me that it could be the early die state coin as it does seem to match the pictures at the vam site.

PQMorgans

Question, Why would PCGS BB for altered surfaces if it was cleaned? They have a code for cleaned.

ahooka454

really. i dont recall ever seeing a cleaned label on pcgs coins, i could be wrong though.

Rogerd

That was my question also, but I did call them and of course they said they could not give me an answer, but that altered surfaces did include harsh cleaning. I am wondering if I sent it in again that it might be graded the next time and say cleaned? I am looking for the vam type also, if it does turn out to be an eds, it would make a big difference. They say they wont do the vam identification if the coin does not grade.

Goldbully

<< <i>really. i dont recall ever seeing a cleaned label on pcgs coins, i could be wrong though. >>



I've had a few, ahooka..........


Per PCGS


No Grade Description
90 Not Genuine
91 Artificial Color
92 Cleaning
93 Planchet Flaw
94 Altered Surfaces
95 Scratch / Rim Dent
96 Refund - No Service
97 Environmental Damage
98 Damage
99 PVC

TomB

It may have been thumbed.

grip

Looks harshly cleaned.Maybe buffed.

Al

ahooka454

wow goldbully very intresting to know. i have 5-10 problem coins but theyre nice and pulled from circulation by my grandma, i should try to send them in. theyre semi keys to a few series.

CalGold

Those codes are not on slabs. They are on body bags.

CG

TomB

Ahooka454, the coins Goldbully is writing about are not certified in PCGS holders; they are simply returned in bags with a sticker affixed to the flip and a box corresponding to that code checked off.

Goldbully

<< <i>Ahooka454, the coins Goldbully is writing about are not certified in PCGS holders; they are simply returned in bags with a sticker affixed to the flip and a box corresponding to that code checked off. >>




Thanks Tom and Calgold for clarifying the codes....I was remiss.

ahooka454

oh okay, i thought they would body bag but thought maybe something i just didnt know. thanks for clearing that up for me.

Mercury10c

I agree, looks like it's been cleaned, and there's a few areas with some funky looking polishing lines.
Can't help with the VAM, sorry.