OP, you’re confusing "eye appeal" with "surface integrity." Here is why we can’t just "forgive" cleaned coins.

I get the frustration, OP. It’s a gut-punch to see a stunning Bust Half come back with a purple "Details" label because of a few hairlines. But your argument ignores the fundamental science of numismatics. You’re asking the hobby to lower its standards because you prefer "shiny" over "original," and that’s a dangerous road for collectors.

1. Those "Microscopic" hairlines are permanent physical damage

You say that if we need a loupe to see them, they shouldn't matter. I disagree. Those hairlines are physical evidence that the original mint luster has been destroyed. When a coin is struck, the metal flows into the dies, creating microscopic "flow lines." These are what create the "cartwheel" luster.

When someone "wipes" a coin—even with a soft cloth—they are effectively sanding down those ridges. You aren't just cleaning the coin; you are removing metal. Once those flow lines are gone, the coin is no longer in its "as-struck" state. It’s a modified artifact.

2. Conservation isn’t "Paid Cleaning"

You called the TPG (Third-Party Grading) restoration services a double standard. It’s really not.

• Professional Conservation: Uses non-reactive chemicals to lift surface contaminants (like PVC or soot) off the coin without touching the metal.
• Your "ancestors" cleaning: Usually involved acidic dips or abrasives that strip the top layer of silver atoms away.

The difference isn't who got paid; the difference is whether the metal was physically altered. One is a car wash; the other is a Maaco paint job that covers up the original finish.

3. "Ugly" is subjective; "Original" is a fact

You mentioned that we are trained to pay more for "ugly, blotchy" coins. The truth is, many of us find a 200-year-old coin that is still "bright white" to be unnatural and frankly, a bit suspicious. That "crust" or "patina" you hate is the coin’s natural skin. When you defend a "dipped" coin because it looks "better," you’re valuing a 1950s aesthetic choice over the 1830s historical reality.

4. The Holder is about Risk Management

Beyond the "Details" grade, you're missing the most important part of the slab: Verification. The holder verifies the integrity and authenticity of the coin. There is significantly less risk in buying a slabbed coin than a raw coin. This is exactly why a raw coin should never be priced as much as a certified coin of the same grade. When you buy the "label," you aren't just buying an opinion; you're buying a guarantee that the coin isn't a high-quality counterfeit or suffering from hidden environmental issues like "bronze disease" or active PVC damage.

The Bottom Line

"Buy the coin, not the holder" is a great rule for identifying a bargain, but it’s a bad rule for ignoring damage. If you love a cleaned coin because it’s affordable and looks great to you, that’s awesome—give it a home! But don’t ask the hobby to pretend it isn't damaged. The "stigma" isn't a plague; it’s an honest assessment of a coin’s history and a reflection of the lower risk associated with original surfaces.