Artificial Toning. How can you tell?

louiskeller

How do you differentiate between normal toning and artificial? Especially if there are colors rather than the grey oxides?

Kriek

Coins that exhibit spotted toning, regardless of color, are most likely artificially produced.

Blackhawk

If you own it, it's AT... if a dealer has it, it's NT

FC57Coins

Welcome to the boards Louis - This thread may contain some answers for you.

Frank

darktone

I think whether a coin is AT or NT is starting not to matter as much. The grading services seem like they are slowly lowering their standards of what they consider AT. If I see a toned coin I like I will buy it reagardless. mike

nwcs

The ANA produces a video which is a great intro primer to first and second generation artificial toning.

Go to here and type "How to Tell Artificial Toning" in the search box.

nwcs

<< <i>Coins that exhibit spotted toning, regardless of color, are most likely artificially produced. >>

Not always true, though. But if the coin does exhibit what appear to be "water spots" forming the toning, it's a better chance of being artificial. However, there can be spotted toning on coins naturally due to factors such as planchet preparation and storage. I have seen coins taken from original rolls (such as 64 kennedies) display spotting while others in the same roll had different toning patterns. And peace dollars are more prone to tone spots. Thing is, their toning spots look different from liquid or viscous gas induced toning.

louiskeller

Can someone use gasses to impose toning in orginal packaging from a mint set?

nwcs

Yes. All they have to do is make some pinholes into the cellophane and gas away. And there are several other ways they can do it. But from what I understand it's not done very often. Although there has been a big debate over some of the proof nickels coming out from 1960-64 proof sets with color.

Kriek

True knowledge comes from (hands-on) experience.


<< <i>Thing is, their toning spots look different from liquid or viscous gas induced toning. >>


Exactly, good point.

louiskeller

I was asking for that same reason. A friend told me that about some pre-64 sets, as I have several Nickels in the proof sets that are toned.

nwcs

From what I've seen, the purple ones tend to be natural. The circus colored ones seem all fake to me.

stman

Almost a mirror image on both obverse and reverse. I don't collect these but the colors are funky looking and don't look like this on natural toned Franklins. The purple color floating over Ben's head. I will say that magenta color is close to what you see on Morgan's he just got it on the wrong coin. Hope this helps a little. Don't have more time to explain but hopefully someone else can jump in here on this one.

Russ

<< <i>Artificial Toning. How can you tell? >>



Just post an image and the forum experts will take care of that for you.

Russ, NCNE

jbsteven

Blackhawk

I own this coin. I do not believe it is NT. Your statement that if a dealer owns it then it is NT is false.

stman

<< <i>Blackhawk

I own this coin. I do not believe it is NT. Your statement that if a dealer owns it then it is NT is false.

>>



You a dealer?

jbsteven

<< <i>You a dealer? >>



maybe I should have said wanna be dealer?

Iwog

Artificial toning is done on purpose, natural toning is done by accident.

There is no way to tell the difference and other than the above statment there is no way to DEFINE the difference either.

louiskeller

Ok, Here goes. I hope

louiskeller

nankraut

louiskeller: IMHO, that is an ugly, streaked nickel

louiskeller

Yea, Unfortunately I was not able to filter out the scratch marks from the mint cellophane (or whatever it is). If the Nickel is examined at different angles it can be seen.

Even though my Grandpa left me a several pre-1964 sets (not worth much that I know), I just did not want to take it out of the wrapper for better scans. Toning looks cool but I don't really know much about it.

I'm a newbie who namely collects commemorative and just want to learn more about my hobby.

Thanks!

nwcs

It has the subtle purple look I've seen in a number of those. I have enough confidence to say it's real.

techeff

nwcs, do you have an example of what you refer to as "water spots"? Thanks!

louiskeller

Is this something I should keep? Or since I collect mainly silver and commemoratives, would it be better for me to trade/give it away to others while keeping the quarters and halfs, or should I just keep it in the mint set and wait?