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Officially Toned Mint Issues
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There are collectors who will pay a premium for a naturally toned, colorful coin, since they are attracted to the unique eye appeal. The TPGs won't slab a coin deemed artificially toned. However, should the Mint decide one day in their marketing plans to create an artificially toned product, would people be inclined to buy it? Would TPGs change their policy? Would previously deemed artificially toned coins then be eligible for grading? Would it change your attraction to toned coins in general?
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should the Mint decide one day in their marketing plans to create an artificially toned product, would people be inclined to buy it? Some would. Would TPGs change their policy? Probably not. Would previously deemed artificially toned coins then be eligible for grading? Probably not. Would it change your attraction to toned coins in general? No
Successful Trades: Swampboy,
Interesting questions.
Our Mint has produced patinated (bronze) and antiqued (Bicentennial era pewter) medals before. Not sure how the grading has worked on these, or if any have been graded.
Other countries' mints have produced antiqued coins.
I guess the seeds have already been sown....
You'd have hundreds of copycats mimicking what the mint did, saturating the market with "official" mint toned coins for that series. It would kill the Mints endeavors if they ventured that far out IMO.
The U.S. mint would probably first resort to something similar to what RCM is doing in Canada, such as colors/insets, etc., as some of their tacky products display, before actually toning coins.
To answer your questions:
Would people be inclined to buy it?
Yes, there are always buyers. Mintage would be the key over any marketed induced toning for a coin product. Scarcity of product would be key for flippers- not toning.
Would TPGs change their policy?
No, they'd adjust their policy to accommodate the latest gimmick, and try to gauge authenticity of toning if it's a series that is produced for circulation, proofs, or, in other mint products. OGP would be the key for determination.
Would previously deemed artificially toned coins then be eligible for grading?
No, there would be none accepted if already known to be AT.
Would it change your attraction to toned coins in general?
No, I'd still purchase what I perceive as original: mint set toning, album, canvas bags, end roll, etc.
Tarnish sells....at least at this time... and likely for a long time to come. There are many AT coins in slabs - done well, it cannot be determined AT/NT... Cheers, RickO