Does this 1900-s Barber Half Dollar look cleaned

Just bought this Barber in an Auction. I am new to buying coins and would like some help. I would like to know if you think this coin has been cleaned before I send it in to pcgs to be graded. If you do think it has been cleaned, what method do you think was used. Im trying to become a better collector.

Thanks
-D

 

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Yes, it was cleaned. no luster

 

Yes, and from the overall look of the coin, harshly so (is always best to remove from the holder before photographing). If you are new and wish to own slabbed coins, you would be wise to buy them already slabbed.

 

Those "halos" around the stars are a dead giveaway. What a shame -- it looks like that was a nice high AU coin, perhaps MS. It's still got some value even after the cleaning.

 

Thanks for the reply. Any guess on the process they used? I noticed different color around the stars and nose on the obverse. On the reverse I noticed it around the TED and ERI. Is that markings from polishing or dipping?

 

It looks like an AU coin that has been cleaned. The surfaces appear dead with little if any real luster, but of course I am only looking at images. It would likely come back as either cleaned or altered surfaces since the surfaces remind me of what happens when jeweler's rouge is used on a coin.

 

May I ask what you paid? You are aware the coin is not even close to MS63?

 

Is that an S/O or S/D MM or a die crack?

 

bkozak,
I am starting to become aware. I purchased this from a local auction and dis like the fact that they write on all their coins what they think the grade is. I will probably not return to this auction. I paid too much after finding out it has been cleaned. I really dont want to put what I paid for it but im sure I will be loosing money.

 

You need to stop buying coins for a little bit, and pick up a couple books. Also, welcome to cointalk! Stay and ask lots of questions.

 

We've all been there; or at least most of us have been there and those who haven't been there are likely to visit there sometime in the future. You've taken a very good first step in asking questions with fairly decent images. There is a lot of information out there and some of it is actually accurate and helpful. Good luck.

 

Polished. The luster in the open parts of the field is gone, while it's still present in the protected area around the stars, letters, and devices. This is similar to the natural wear pattern you see on coins at the XF level, where field luster remains in protected areas. I would consider this coin to be "tuition". Study it with and without magnification and you'll develop a better eye for this stuff.

 

yes, especially on the obverse

 

Yes it is too bad it has been clean, but other than that it is a nice coin. Love them Barber's

 

It looks cleaned. Maybe you can save the luster by whizzing it!

 

no

 

At best a possible RPM.

But, I can't enlarge the last picture

 

Something else to keep in mind - I have seen pictures make coins looked cleaned that were not and I have seen pictures make a coin look like it is not cleaned. Listen to bkozak and Tom B. And another thing - I once had a coin that two trusted expert dealers looked at and did not think it was cleaned, but the TPG did.

 

Put it under decent light and move it around. You'll get a good look at the damage done by cleaning. There are still AU details and some patches of luster, but most of it has been harshly cleaned. I had a au barber cleaned and artificially toned that I was selling at a show. This is when I was a new collector and didn't know the coin suffered this fate. I was offered 15 dollars for it! I paid 80. It hurts, but I think you'll learn a lot faster that way