Toning - Basic Questions

SarasotaFrank

Toning drives me nutz.

Now that I have that out of my system.

What is AT?

stman

Not sure what your asking here.

Stman

supercoin

AT = Artificial Toning.

Artificial Toning = Well... that's open to some debate.

Russ

<< <i>What is AT? >>



This is AT:



Really bad AT.

Russ, NCNE

mbbiker

Russ, how do you know?

what are some telltale signs of AT?

Russ

<< <i>what are some telltale signs of AT? >>



The fact that the dealer had a ton of them for $50 ea.

Actually, on this one it's easy for two reasons. The colors don't transition; they are too abrupt in the changes from color to color. And, for lack of a better word, the toning is too "thick". It sits above the surfaces instead of being embedded. I believe that this one was done with chemicals, probably liver of sulfur.

But, I really don't know that much about it, so I could be wrong and it's real toning and I'll soon be rich beyond my wildest dreams.

Russ, NCNE

SarasotaFrank

OK. Being a novice in the area of toning, I did not know.

I have seen reference to "album toning"

I have a number of Mercury's which are deeply toned from spending 40 years in Whitman folders. The colors on some are fabulous with blues and greens and gold tones.

Is album toning undesireable?

Russ

Frank,

My understanding is that, second only to bag toning in Morgan's, album toning is very desirable.

Russ, NCNE

SarasotaFrank

Russ:

Thanks.

Lastly - is toning only desireable, or value enhancing, on highest grade coins, or are toned coins in lower grades (VF, XF) made more desireable by toning?

Russ

Frank,

On that one I don't know. I'm at the very bottom of the learning curve on this myself. An expert will likely be along shortly, though.

Russ, NCNE

supercoin

Sure, beautiful toning is a plus in any grade. Just as ugly toning is a minus in any grade.

The craziest multiples over untoned coins come with the higher grades though.

stman

Also notice on Russ's coin the color sits around the stars, lettering date etc. Rather than filling in and on them. But I'm sure the coin Dr's can duplicate that also. The color also seems to float on the surface.

Stman