Getting past the Rah-Rah of "Toned vs White" why DO we Love them so much?

braddick

What is it about a rainbow toned GEM that makes us like them so much?! I just went back over Bryan's (TBT's) inventory on eBay again and caught myself just staring at some. Staring at my computer monitor.
Certainly it isn't just the color. Many objects are colorful and we don't spent thread after thread talking about those.

Is it because really, these coins just ARE NOT suppose to look like this?! To take such an item- one made for commerce, a utilitarian man-make metal disk and see it transformed over the decades into a masterpeice- a true work of art? Maybe that's it.

I sometimes wonder, if coins didn't tone at all- if they just stayed the color they came from the Mint, if I'd still collect today. I don't know. I don't think so though.

MrKelso

<< <i>What is it about a rainbow toned GEM that makes us like them so much?! I just went back over Bryan's (TBT's) inventory on eBay again and caught myself just staring at some. Staring at my computer monitor.
Certainly it isn't just the color. Many objects are colorful and we don't spent thread after thread talking about those.

Is it because really, these coins just ARE NOT suppose to look like this?! To take such an item- one made for commerce, a utilitarian man-make metal disk and see it transformed over the decades into a masterpeice- a true work of art? Maybe that's it.

I sometimes wonder, if coins didn't tone at all- if they just stayed the color they came from the Mint, if I'd still collect today. I don't know. I don't think so though. >>



Great time machines aren't they?

jom

It's just the eye-appeal. Actually, the bottom line in eye-appeal is LUSTER. If a nicely toned coin has dull luster (which happens a lot!) then it just doesn't catch my eye. So, to me, it just isn't the color we are talking about here.

jom

airplanenut

<< <i>I sometimes wonder, if coins didn't tone at all- if they just stayed the color they came from the Mint, if I'd still collect today. I don't know. I don't think so though. >>


What if they didn't wear? Then what?

Elcontador

Jom is on point. Coins like Art R's Morgans are so beautiful partially because they are so scarce. Most toned coins I see that have either neutral or negative eye appeal. So when one comes along which is beautiful and the toning does not impede the luster, it gets my attention.

BigD5

Is it because really, these coins just ARE NOT suppose to look like this?!
They aren't supposed to look white either. The older stuff anyway.
I like the colored stuff because it IS natural. When looking at white/untoned seated material for example, does anyone believe that stuff hasn't been dipped? I don't, and won't. 98% of it anyway. In my opinion, toning gives a coin character. Doesn't have to be "MONSTER" or anything like that. Just a nice blush of a little color does it for me.
I don't think white/untoned coins are bad, just not my collecting preference.

braddick

BigD5- What I meant was a toned coin usually looks brownish gold or grayish is color. The vibrant rainbow REDS and GREENS and BLUES and YELLOWS you see on everything from Lincolns to Morgans seem unreal and not of this planet.

EVillageProwler

I like my silvers toned because I generally collect 18th and 19th century coinage. To me, it seems unnatural for those coins to me untoned. There are exceptions, like Morgans, but for most series untoned silvers of that era are uncommon.

The toning gives the coins distinctiveness, individuality, character. I guess that's why I also like circulated coins too.

That being said, I also have some brilliant (or minimally toned) Early and Seated material. They look beautiful to me because they have very thick and original skin.

I guess to me the beauty is in their originality and the various ``look'' that a thick and fresh skin imparts.

EVP

Clankeye

<< <i>The toning gives the coins distinctiveness, individuality, character. >>



I agree with this. And I think that sometimes in our current way of thinking too much emphasis is being put on "Monster" or "Rainbow" toning. Don't get me wrong, I love those kind of coins. But, I appreciate a lot of toning that would not fall into those categories also. I said this in a thread about commemoratives the other day: I crave originality. And that can come in a lot of different ways. Toned, untoned, monster-toned... just give me that real "skin" and that gets my blood flowing.
Carl

Dave99B

If you have the option of living in a "black and white" world, or a "colorful" world, which would you choose? The same answer applied to coins.

Dave

dbldie55

Read how silver coins tone in Wayne Millers book. Very interesting, very scientific.

I prefer my coins looking like they way they came from the mint. I would certainly prefer coins not to be damaged by nature after they were minted, but it seems many prefer damaged coins and show it with their pocket books.

Dave99B

I prefer my coins looking like they way they came from the mint

I hope you collect post-1965 clad coinage. Because if you're buying 20th century "white" silver coins, I got some bad news --- they're cleaned....

Dave

EVillageProwler

Damaged???

I prefer to think of the naturally toned coins as being one with their environment -- but only to a point.

EVP

dbldie55

I don't collect silver coins. Have you read Wayne's analysis on how coins tone? It is very interesting (and somewhat scientific) reading.

Yes, I would prefer a dipped white morgan over any toned one.

EVillageProwler

I have not read Wayne Miller's explanation of toning, but I have read Weimar White's explanation. (White is a chemist, and loves to get down and dirty about this stuff...)

Personally, I prefer to say a person is tanned as opposed to saying that a person has minimally burned dermis.

You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to. (Ok, I actually say to-may-to as well!)

EVP

DHeath

Pat,

They are always such a delightful surprise. It is the element of surprise and the unexpectedness of the toned coins. They aren't expected to look that way, and when they do, you know they are truly unique one of a kind beauties. They are ungradeable, and can only be appreciated. There is no standard, just emotional reaction to their beauty.