In your collecting habits, What do you define as beautiful

ccr

I thought this might be an interesting topic developing from a previous post of mine Previous Post. I posted to a coin that`s in auction stating that I just about gagged at how stunning it was. After several posts, stman showed a picture of a Morgan Dollar and I like that one too (I don`t think it`s up for auction). So, at the risk of being on the fence, I like both coins.

So again what do you define as beautiful in the coins that you collect. Most of the coins I collect are common date Morgans and are either just white or white and frosty. So, judging by my collecting habits, I tend to go torwards "White" coins. I`m not saying I`m right and there wrong or visa versa, I just thought it would be interesting what and why people collect "White" or "Toned" or both.

Tootawl

I just don't see the appeal in toned coins. There are a lot of people who do prefer toned coins. I prefer coins for my Type set to look like they were minted yesterday.

prooflike

I llike rim toning and bullseye toning w/white centers. There must also be tons of luster showing theough the toning, luster very important.

MJCoin

That Morgan Dollar of Barney's is to die for!!!
I also like beautifully toned gold coins. Otherwise I like my coins 100% brilliant.

TONEDDOLLARS

I love colors that blend one into the other. coins that have the colors and the luster that just make your mouth water. The kind of coin when you look in a dealers case your eye is imediately drawn to that coin. It does not hurt if the coin is also prooflike.

If a dealer has all white coins in his case it is usually is hard to be drawn to anyone particular coin. In most cases you have to look for a few seconds and then you might find that special coin. I find with a toned piece your eye will go right to it and nothing else in the case will distract you until you are finished eyeing over said coin.

LanLord

There are so many coins that would define beautiful it's hard to choose one. This, in fact, may be one of my problems in collecting (I want it all). I really like a classic Proof with heavy cameo (a seated Proof for instance), what St. Gaudens did with Indian heads and liberty have got to be at the top of the list, and a worn coin with no other problems can be stunning.

09sVDB

Fresh original, uncleaned , untoned coins either circulated or uncirculated.

FC57Coins

I guess it depends on that ever illusive "eye appeal" quality a coin might have. To some it's a kaleidescope of colors - the more the better, to some bullseye color, to some blast white. I think a lot depends on the kind of coins you like and what you find pleasing. I personally like Franklins and I find them very beautiful coins in various states - white and toned. Some think these coins are hideous and would not look at one even if it was breathtaking. So - go figure.

Frank

ARCO

I love dirty, dark circulated coins with artistic proportional shaded toning. They are just works of art to me.

1905 Barber Half - Perfection for me!!

Tyler

pmh1nic

There are some coins that are just beautiful by design (Walkers, Saints, Merc, SLQ, etc.). Then there are some that although the basic design may not be that eye appealing they've developed beautiful toning (concentric, iridescent colors and/or beautiful color patterns, etc.).

That said collecting a set of Walkers or Mercs, even given the beauty of the design, that were all blast white would be boring to me (just MHO). If I was going to collect a series it would be a series of toned coins (even if it was an extremely ugly, almost unbearable to look at design like Franklins or SBA's or Ikes ). With toned coins each coin is unique in its own right. This is more interesting to me than just the same boring blast white coin over and over again with a different date.

IrishMike

I like firmly struck bustcoins and IHC's with coloring. You did mean coins I assume.

clw54

To me, circulated coins that are undamaged and not tampered with are beautiful. It goes beyond just how they look. There's something about a coin that did what it was meant to do, be passed from hand to hand in exchange for goods, then discovered and saved in the state it was found that is special. Any demonination, it doesn't matter.

mdwoods

Most of my coins are white, some are rainbow. I don't know why I picked the ones I did. Overall appeal was there I suppose. A clean appearance is most important, any marks hopefully are not on the face, or are well disguised. mdwoods

Lakesammman

Anything white on my coins is a blemish - I like well struck, uniformly colored, original red, spot free Indian Head pennies. I don't like coins where I can't tell if I'm looking at a woman or man!

stman

CCR, You are correct about my pr66 morgan. It is not up for auction or for sale. I really love it and like I said the colors are beautiful and cannot be captured on a scan. They are nice and translucent. And a very solid 66 at that.

Stman

fcloud

For the most part, I buy what I like. I was on a kick that it had to be "Key," "Semi-key," "Old unc or proof," or "Nice certified anything (pcgs mostly)." I also purchase coins that I like from the mint. I don't buy everything they offer, just what I like.

Recently I started a (go ahead and laugh) pr69dcam state quarter proof set (silver and clad). And I am not that interested in profit. I collect what I like. I have started a modern set, mercury dime set, too. Although, I prefer mine blast white, I am slowly being brought into liking coins with colors (I don't have any coins that have deep color, but one of my mercury dimes has both gold and blue color).



Tony

Dog97

I like my DMPLs white even if that means dipped but no gold periph retone please or white spots where the tone had etched the surface of the coin.
The rest of my Morgans I don't really have any preference one way or the other but I already have them all in white so if I buy any they usually have some kind of tone that attracts me. They don't even have to be pretty, I'll buy an ugly one if it's eyecatchin ugly.

Dave99B

Original skin, medium to dark in color, darkening toward the rims. By color I mean, blue, green, and red, copper, gold.....the list goes on-and-on.

Unfortunately, most coins that are readily available are white, dipped, or both. It's very frustrating locating original material.

Dave

MAULUMALL

Platinum in MS
.Not proof.For some reason the proofs don't turn my crank.

Unknown

I like original coins with rim toning and good luster.

Fairlaneman

Original Classic Coins which means 90+ per cent of the time Tone will be present. Black Ugly ones...Forget it.

shylock

Beautiful coins are little portals that take me away for a few moments, the kind you can get lost in. Lustre is usually the only constant. Certain white silver qualifies, but it takes some extra umph to grab me with those. I have a real weakness for the autumnal colors of copper mint state coins, and they continue to surprise. Toning on any coin walks a fine line with me -- the type Toneddollars mentioned are also my favorite, with smooth, effortless blending between shades.

coincollector1989

I'm not really a tone fan, but I do tend to like a golden tone especially on Jeffersons. Other than that I like my coins to be white.

michael

basically i describe a coin as beautiful is a coin that is something that if i buy it i can sell it for at least or thereabouts as much as i paid for it to a coin dealer or advanced collector! also if the coin is slabbed the same thing i can sell it for what i juat paid for the coin or thereabouts and also the coin is worth more out of the holder than in the holder! to me that is my defination of a beautiful coin

now if the coin has the above parameters and also is for me a coin that i absolutely love the look of and it walks and talks and sings to me then that is not only a beautiful coin but a great coin!!!!!!!

and an added plus would be for me i just like the coin as it is something that i like to collect that is the second thing of a great coin!!

sincerely michael

supercoin

< ------------- Like that.

Macqui

Here is my definition of a beautiful coin-
(the arc in front liberty's is the camera lens)

Macqui

CharlieB

In my opinion optimal toning for mint state silver coins are those
that are peripherally toned on both sides. The edges and rims
should be completely darkened around the coin extending several
millimeters beyond the rim depending on the size of the coin.
The toning should be symmetrical and concentric. The remainder
of the coin possesses nice luster. I'll take that
coin and sacrifice a better strike any day of the week.
They are very hard to find because they are bought up so quickly.
Note how often forum members will use the word "periheral".
Even collectors who don't like toning will generally find these coins
exceptional because the coin is not overwhelmed with colors.
A coin whose entire surface has a nice light patina, yes.
And dollars with rainbows or iridescence, yes.
A coin whose entire surface has a deep cobalt blue, no.