Artificially Toned or Original? You make the call.

DesertLizard

I was never a fan of the Peace series but when I saw this puppy I knew I had to have her...maybe.

Toned Peace $

Russ

It is in a PCGS slab, therefore it is automatically real toning.

Russ, NCNE

stman

I've never been a fan of the peace dollar series either. But this looks really sweet!!!!

relayer

That's a tough call, but I'm going to say No.

The reason is I don't think it's really pink in person. If you look at the color of the PCGS label, it has more of a magenta hue and I think if you take away that hue so the label the correct color - a lot of color of the coin would go away too.

But, then again we'll have to wait and see what somebody who knows what they are talking about has to say.

Placid

Toning looks ok to me. Looks like pcgs was generous with the grade.

oldcameoproofsguy

It looks like nice album toning to me. I like the coin, but if I ever purchase a toned Peace dollar it would have to be a superbly toned example.

DesertLizard

Upon further inspection....look at this seller's other auctions. He has some wild colors going on there.

Too bad, I will skip this one. I say AT, guilt by association. Besides those listed below look at a few of his past auctions.

Toned Morgan

On Fire Buffalo

Another BBQed Morgan?

Placid

Here is a really rare one.
Actually heritage has two proof peace dollars for sale right now.
The total minted was 15.

coingame2000

DesertLizard,

As you stated in another thread you are NEW to toning so I would encourage you not to judge the 1921 Peace Dollar as artifically toned because it's stone original. Moreover, the other "colored" coins I'm offering on Ebay are absolutely original as well! I've been buying and selling spectacularly colored orignal coins for more than three decades and have learned to discern between "real" and "artificial" toning. The fact is that many original toned coins exhibit wild vibrant coloration. In fact, the coins to which you refer are tame (colorwise) by comparison to many other coins I have in inventory. I would be more than happy to meet with you personally and show you a couple of boxes of beautifully toned coins to help accelerate
your education regarding this fascinating area of numismatics. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Best Regards,

Mike D Falco

PS The color settings and monitor quality can vary greatly from computer to computer impacting the appearance of the image.

stman

I was at a show lately and saw quite a few that looked like the 82 morgan you gave a link for. Had the same crescent toning but the rest of the toning was a little lighter as I suspect this one is also.

Here is one I bought. Same kind of crescent going on.

prooflike

Looks good to me.

relayer

Well it looks like somebody who knew what they are talking about showed up.

I looked at coingames site and can only say WOW. I mean look at this...




I still contend that unless you bought the coin from the mint many years ago no one can KNOW if a coin is AT or not. But there are expert whose opinions are right more often then wrong - And there are experts who can create these as well.

So I'm a believer in coingames coins, and found the next edition to my Rainbow Morgan Mint Set.

stman

So do I not know what I'm talking about?

lordmarcovan

Looks original to me (though I am the furthest thing there is from an expert on judging toning). During my Registry type set days last year, I shopped for a High Relief Peace dollar, and they very frequently come with splotchy brown toning. The peripheral toning on that one is nice. I don't necessarily think the grade was overgenerous, either- looks about right to me. These coins were notorious for soft strikes (I guess that's one reason they abandoned the high relief the next year). To see a coin with full hair detail is unusual. And they usually look like they were dunked in somebody's coffee cup.

I counted myself lucky to find this basically untoned PCGS MS64, with lots of hair detail. She's gone to live with another forum member now, like so many of my babies.

Wow, that's a pretty Oregon Trail. Having just found one with my detector, I am getting a new appreciation for that design. I'd never owned one until I dug mine on Halloween. (Of course, the one I just found, though nice, doesn't look anything like that...)

As to artificial toning, my take on it is, so what, even if it were? (Not that I think any such thing about that Peace dollar). I think people are a bit too uptight about it. If it makes it into a PCGS slab, that's good enough for me. But that's just me. I'm a weirdo who is not even bothered by a little doctoring, as long as it's not done for dishonest reasons and isn't too harsh...

agentjim007

I think the Peace Dollar is OK. It really doesn't have enough color to it to even think AT. AS far as coins being AT or not. I guess I'm going to have to let PCGS be the final judge. Any coin we put up to a vote some will say AT some will not. I'm tired of the debate. If I like it, it's in a PCGS holder, I'll consider it good. With that said PCGS admitted themselves they miss some so even though they slabbed it, and I like it, I could still end up with an AT but my chances are better it's good.

dorkkarl

it's toning caused by storage in tissue paper or cardboard w/ high sulphur content. strike is above average for a '21, & appropriately graded. i think peace $ are just OK, but i have several 1921 coins. look for better strikes (if you have the time!), & you'll be happy w/ your investment.

only drawback to that listing is the stinking reserve (sorry coingame2000, had to say it ). i prefer listings that just start out at the min. bid, or mention the reserve in the text.

K S

nwcs

Yes, I believe this to be real toning. The diagnostics of air transfer toning seem apparent in the pics.

nwcs

Relayer, the pic you posted is definitely the circus color AT job. The rainbow morgans look great. Wish I could get a few cheaply. Also, I recommend the ANA's AT video to everyone. It really helps you understand the first steps of air transfer (natural process) toning and artificial toning.

GP

I would say the peace$ is original, the Morgans could very well be original, I would have to see them in real life to be certain. The buffalo, well there is absolutely no way that isnt man made color.

DesertLizard

GP, I agree about the buffalo.

What disturbs me is how some coins are obviously AT and you do not have to be an expert to see that. If the seller markets this type of material all the time and is experienced then supposedly he/she should have a better "eye" and know what is real and what is not. I feel what mitigates the suspecion of AT is a mix of both real and AT coins. I will give these pieces a wide berth.

Almost forgot, how did that Peace $ get into a PCGS MS65 holder? I gues the graders where wowed by the "toning"?

Elcontador

I've seen Mike De Falco's coins many times at various Long Beach Shows. His PQ material is a bit rich for my wallet, but the guy knows his coins. A year and a half ago, he showed me the nicest MS 66 Seated Half I've ever seen (nicely toned, I might add).

dorkkarl

relayer's coin does not show album toning, yet i like it anyway. i'd buy it!

K S

rainbowroosie

I've bought Mike's coins and sold them at a profit. His knowledge of toned coins is extensive. Simply stated, I'd trust his judgement over many of his critics, especially critics who haven't seen the coins in person.
rainbowroosie

Bear

While I dont particularly like Peace Dollars, I would not hesitate to purchase

the specemin, as the toning appears to be genuine album toning

and rather nice at that. Bear

agentjim007

regarding that buffalo. I admit it looks like a no brainer AT, thats why I have to wonder why it looks like a no brainer. Maybe the way it scanned or something. I bet it looks more natural in person.

Dog97

The scan from the toned Peace Dollar makes it look like a bid dip job retoned but it hasn't been in the slab long enough for that to happen. The sellers description combined with the pict makes me think it's natural tone from an album and looks better in person.