Is toning more attractive on MS coins or Proofs?

Monstavet

Or does it just depend on what you like to collect? I guess what I am getting at is this: take an average proof coin...say a 1964 PR67 Washington, like the one Russ has on Ebay right now...Free advertising for Russ (BTW, awesome coin, Russ). Now a 1964 PR67 Washington is, well, not that exciting (no offense, Russ). But you add some crazy toning to it, and wa-la! $50 and counting with time left on the auction. Would the same toning on an average MS coin add the same value? Take an MS65 1964 Washington....again, a nice coin, but nothing spectacular. With the same wild toning, does it go $50? Does it make a difference if it is proof versus MS?

dwood

I think they both bring the same premium, you just see the toning more often on the modern proofs.

nwcs

I've seen some nice proof toning, but I think business strikes are much better. I think it's because of the nature of luster. When you have a reflective proof surface, you don't get as many subtle variations as you do with frosty luster.

Gilbert

hmmmm?

I can't say, but, NCWS -- I've seen some OUTSTANDINGLY TONED proofs. I THINK that prooflike surfaces make for highly iridescent toning, though.

Gemini

With classic coins especially I do admire beautifully toned business strikes over proof issues. To me they are a much rarer find.

Russ

<< <i>). Now a 1964 PR67 Washington is, well, not that exciting (no offense, Russ). >>



Monsta,

No offense taken, I happen to agree. A garden variety non cameo'd proof modern is boring as hell.

Personally, I think rainbow toning is more attractive on an MS coin than it is on a proof - it is certainly much easier to photograph than a proof. I don't know if the premiums are the same since I have very little experience buying or selling either.

I have a hunch, though, that the coin in this auction is going to end up closing a lot higher than it is now. I've gotten an inordinate amount of eMail offers on these coins already, and the auctions are only a day and a half old. Even got an opening bid ($195) offer on the PR66 Kennedy this morning - and that is stupid money for the coin.

Russ, NCNE

braddick

In the Morgan series a nicely toned PL (or, DMPL, if you can find one) is more attractive than its MS (no PL) counterpart.

With Kennedies and other Moderns like the Ike it's tough to beat a rainbow toned coin in Proof vs MintState.

gsaguy

To me Braddick is correct that in the Morgan series, a PL or DMPL with nice toning can knock your socks off. And yet, I don't find most of the toned proofs I've encountered too appealing.

Another series where I much prefer the mint state coins with toning versus the proof issues is the ASE. I've owned both, but much prefer business strike pieces with color.

To each his own.

GSAGUY

BigD5

I agree with Braddick and GSAGUY, DMPL/PL toned Morgans are stunning. I don't even care for Morgans too much, but you can't help but admire the toned examples with the dmpl/pl sufaces. I recently sold one, the coin kind of blows you away with eye appeal.
For most series (I don't do modern stuff, so I have no comment there), I prefer mint state coins with the toning. I've seen some absolutely fantastic proof toned type examples though, Benson is a name that comes to mind.
I actually think you can find more attractively toned examples in proof, as opposed to mint state, from the way they were stored years back. Like almost everything else in this hobby, it most likely depends on personal preference, and what exact series we are talking about.