Coinbuf

Cleaning is not an all or nothing event, it exists on a continuum from the most mild and gentile of methods that require a highly trained eye to detect to the painfully obvious. Cleaning or brushing of coins was considered as a positive and done regularly by collectors for years. As such coinage from this time frame have been exposed to many forms of cleanings, thus the TPGs and collecting community as a whole are somewhat more forgiving of those gently cleaned coins. Especially when the coin has begun the process of retoning and the tone has a pleasing and quazi original look. Right or wrong it is true that 18th and 19th century coins do get some leeway in this area that would not be given to 21st century coinage.

Better eyes might help, but actual knowledge is what is needed here. To the op, your coin most likely was cleaned at some time in the past, just not harshly as wrongly suggested by an unknowledgeable poster. From your photos I see no reason it would not grade in the XF perhaps even AU range, in hand I might have a different opinion.

Just common circulation damage and corrosion.

To the op, and anyone else reading this thread or replies from @Mike Meenderink, I would caution you on accepting any of his advice. So far he has offered more wrong advice than correct.

Yes, as already noted above you are correct that this is a small date. But if you think you have the ever elusive copper small date then biased on what I see that would be incorrect, it has the appearance of a zinc plated coin.

Well you are a touch closer after I lost all those CAC bonus points, and while I'm fairly comfy at the moment I do have an iron or two in the fire.

It sounds like you already know you have a problem coin, you are blaming the TPG before you even send the coin in and get the result.

Sounds like a very nice addition.

Its not really that this is just for photos Jim, just that not all the members view this thread so the main forum will give your inquiry a better chance of being seen and better participation.

I would avoid Littleton and Ampex, imo their prices are retail+ or higher. For slabbed/certified copper cents, two cent pieces, and buffalo nickels I highly recommend AngelDees. Link Andy does tend to focus on the high grade coins (as most dealers seem to) but he does have some select lower circulated graded coins too. He is one of the top Lincoln specialist dealers that I know. For raw coins if you can find a local dealer that you like and trust I have found that to be good source in the past.

Anything is possible, remember that with the passing of Mr. Lange and the retirement of Mr. Salzberg there is new leadership at NGC. It is not clear what that new leadership wants or has plans (if any) for the NGC registry. I just hope that they don't make changes just for the sake of making changes, although that is sort of how this recent change feels.

I've never collected half cents myself other than a couple of type examples. So I have never studied the pops or the coins in enough detail to even begin to answer your question. Just a suggestion, a subject like this would get far more attention if posted as a new thread in the US coin section rather than buried in the copper thread.

Funny, you don't enjoy the opinions of others here about your coins but sure are free to give others your opinion solicited or not.

That is an interesting overdate for sure. I'm not seeing any luster on the coin in your op so that would rule out any grade over XF45 imo. Is it worth it, well that really depends on what you want it graded and slabbed for. If you want it for a registry set or because you plan to resell the coin then it may be worth it to you to spend the funds and have it graded. I would simply put the coin into a cost effective holder like a kointaine and enjoy the coin for what it is as it is.

Well someone in this thread sure is triggered.

Opps yes you are correct, was shooting some Morgan dollar photos and had that on the brain.

Welcome to the forum, it could be a magicians coin. That is a coin where the coin is split apart and the center hollowed out so that the two pieces can then be placed back together. In this case a trade dollar obv with a seated dollar rev, not saying that is what you have but it could be.

Welcome to the forum, that looks like a very nice coin congrats on the addition to your collection.

This is common on the Lincoln cent series as there wasn't always enough metal flow for those elements to strike up fully. See the overlay I have posted below (curtesy of Maddieclashes.com). Notice how the shoulder of Lincoln's bust is opposite the O of one and close to the EPLU on the reverse, because the shoulder of the bust is a high point of the obverse it can rob the reverse of proper metal flow during striking. This is a common and well-known effect and is not an error, time in circulation has exacerbated the look.

Perhaps you can provide some proof of these coins "going for astronomical prices", making statements like this without providing any proof of your statement is meaningless, I've collected Lincoln cents for decades and am not aware of any large volumes of common circulated coins like those in your op having any significant value.

This appears to be a political move rather than one designed to enhance the registry or collectors. As some may be aware most of the long-term high-level leadership at NGC have passed away or are no longer with the company. With the leadership changes has come a different mindset in regard to the registry and collectors in general and a clear shift in how NGC now perceives CAC and CAC grading as a threat to their business. CAC approved coins sell for more in the marketplace in a very high percentage of sales, the NGC registry awards points that generally equate to current market (and guide) pricing. So awarding extra points for CAC approved coins was perfectly logical, imo. While I expect it should be clear that I'm not a fan of this change, it is not the end of the world. But it makes me wonder what is coming next.

Lol, sorry to disappoint you but I'm not triggered, just laughing at your use of a clickbait thread title and the amount of misinformation you are spreading. Yes coins are dipped in diluted acidic solutions like Ezest and yes they do receive straight grades that is correct. However, those coins are not soaked for long periods, that is how you end up with a burned, porous, lifeless surface like the coin you are so overjoyed to own. I don't know where you got your metallurgy degree from but I suggest that you ask for your money back, you cannot remove an oxidation layer (toning) without removing a very tiny amount of the coin's surface. Every time you dip a coin a microscopic layer of the surface is removed and the flow lines are altered. When done properly a few times it may not be noticeable to someone that has no idea what an original surface looks like. But done repeatedly the surfaces become so altered that you end up with what you have, a burned and lifeless coin. If you're not selling the coin then why are you so preoccupied with trying to convince everyone here of the value? Modesty goes further than bragging. Here is a question for you, as you say you didn't do the damage to this coin how is it that you know exactly what was done to doctor this coin? You describe the process in detail in your post above and claim it is "safe" how do you know all this if you didn't do the doctoring yourself. Can you provide some legitimate links to scientific studies (not garbage you tube links) that prove soaking a coin in "pure white vinegar long soak at 36 degrees F" is scientifically safe and sound? Providing some actual proof of your claim would go a long way to establish some credibility, otherwise as said above you just sound like a used car salesman.

Posting tons of photos and starting multiple threads will not change the fact that you have a severe case of Pareidolia

He is hoping to perpetuate the pump and dump so he can off load this for a profit, which given the irrational desire for this variety I have no doubt he will. Your post shows a fair amount of misinformation about cleaning, grading, and pricing of coins. Yes one doesn't expect to see luster at the lower circulated grades, but that is from circulation not from a chemical bath. And this nonsense that vinegar only removes tarnish is just that nonsense, toning is bonded to the surface of the coin it cannot just be washed away. When you use chemicals to remove toning (or whatever you removed with your vinegar bath) you will also remove some of the surface metal. Your photos obviously show that the coin's surfaces are unnatural and only Joe's basement slabbing service is going to miss or disregard that. Your prices would be in the ballpark for an unimpaired example, but not for a details graded example which will sell for far less to any knowledgeable collector. And in fact your entire posts have been all about advocating for cleaning coins.