45 seems to be the correct grade per current standards, however, the original toning is not very attractive and may make the coin a hard sell at that grade.
EF-40 would be my grade. When I was a dealer I had a couple of 19th century silver coins come back in body bags that had heavy original toning like this. The excuse, and that is my word for it, was "environmental damage."
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Comments
I would pay between 35 and 40 money.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
NGC XF45
My Early Large Cents