I can't afford the color Franklin, but I DID pull the trigger on this beauty!

braddick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1389742079&rd=1

I saw a couple of these offered at Long Beach (in NGC holders) and the prices were outragious.
I just couldn't let this one go!

Placid

If it looks like the picture in person it's a stunner.

JR

Regardless of the coin being well hyped, it looks like it might be a good one. Congratulations!

LucyBop

Picture is alittle dark on my computer but it looks like some AWESOME toning that gives Lucy goose pimples!

Gilbert

Hey Braddick,

Are you ever curious about how a particular coin toned? I mean, how do you ask a person, if they know - how a coin toned the way it did, without them taking offense and assuming you are inferring it is artificial?

Really, I've seen several "toned" coins that I have liked, and based on the date or the color scheme, been curious how it got that way, but it seems most folks automatically take that as an inferrence that you question the legitimacy of the toning.

To me, this being a what, 10 year old coin (and I have a set or two, some displayed in a Dansco which merely turned them brown), it seems a legitimate curiosity.

gmarguli

Gilbert, this isn't really a coin. It's a pure silver bullion round. Pure silver tones really fast. It wouldn't take 10 years.

braddick

Gilbert, I've been collecting these since about 1992 or so- although mostly MintState.
I've had the pleasure of meeting, twice, with a Coin Doctor who (his words "corrects and reconditions" coins as part of his living. I wrote of both experiences here on this forum. (Although, since writing about the second episode, have not been invited back!)

Greg nailed it. As I've learned- along with PCGS, these pure silver bullion 'coins' (they do have a monetary value and are struck at the U.S. Mint) can tone, with the corrrect surroundings and conditions, within a couple of years. It's rare they do, or with vivid colors, but it does happen.
If the process is 'encouraged' or speed up, that detection, if done other than by a few, is visible.

Could this be AT? Could the two major Services have missed it (regardless of how wary and leary they are of AT that comes across their desks)? Sure.
Could they have also missed on that $2,200.00 Franklin? Of course. That $22,000.00 Reanoke? Absolutely.
That's the risk of collecting ANYTHING.
The likelihood is diminished though with certification by PCGS or NGC and your OWN study of toning.

LanLord

Pat, when you get that thing in your hands can you post a lighter picture of it. The colors look dazzling, I'd like to see more.

gsaguy

Nice piece Braddick!!! What a beauty!

But hey, I take offense to that comment about my outrageously priced pieces at LB!

GSAGUY