Toning

aknow

I'm sure this has been discussed here many times, but:
I don't recall "monster" toned coins back in the '60's.
Certainly some coins developed toning, and I remember somewhat unattractive toning.
Now, I see coins with unbelievably beautiful toning, (Anaconda)
So, do certification companies like NGC and PCGS designate for 'AT' or 'NT'?
And if they do, how can they be sure without damaging the surface of the coin by chemically testing?
And does it really matter, because toning is so subjective, and some collectors may not like it?
I'd be most interested to hear from some of the poster/members here who market toned coins.
Many thanks,
Dr. Steve

DorkGirl

The only way NGC or PCGS designate AT coins is with a bodybag, market acceptable coins just get graded, sometimes with a PQ or a *. ANACS will slab them with "questionable toning". Nobody "tests" coins that I know of, it is just their opinion either way.

I know a lot of old collectors hated toning. Their coins were polished along with their silverware, maybe that's why the toned coins weren't as prevalent then, I really don't know for sure.

I don't market toned coins, but I do buy some I like...maybe one of the toned sellers will help answer this for you.

kryptonitecomics

Check out Toned Coin Collector's Society

For more information, maybe even post this in the forum over their and I am sure you will get solid answers from people who have been collecting toners since the 60's

SUPERCARCOINS

"Nobody "tests" coins that I know of, it is just their opinion either way. "

i think the major services have a few ways other then just their opinions ; they use special lights.........., mass spectogrophy., radiation isotopes and nano-molecular technology to name a few !

nwcs

There were monster coins back then but remember how many mint bags were opened since the 60s

nwcs

Another thought, the internet has allowed us as a community to share more. I'm sure that cool items are seen more often now partially because it is possible for people to share more. It's also leveled the field a little between the rich and poor collector. Now both have better opportunities to see the cool coins even if only one can buy them.

Russ

<< <i>they use special lights.........., mass spectogrophy., radiation isotopes and nano-molecular technology to name a few >>



Yeah and, amazingly enough, they do all that in the six seconds they spend grading each coin.

Russ, NCNE

pharmer

<< <i>"Nobody "tests" coins that I know of, it is just their opinion either way. "

i think the major services have a few ways other then just their opinions ; they use special lights.........., mass spectogrophy., radiation isotopes and nano-molecular technology to name a few ! >>



Is it possible to assume the personality of your icon?

SUPERCARCOINS

yes - it is possible ! but whats more dreadfull though , is the person starts to LOOK exactly like the icon............

Newmismatist

<< <i>I don't recall "monster" toned coins back in the '60's. >>



The big silver Rush started in the early 60's - the mint began to release many Mint-sewn bags of Silver dollars - What probably started it was the release of a bag of 1903-O Uncirculated silver dollars around 1962 or so - beofre that bag was released it was a VERY Scarce coin - the 1st few sold for 1000s of dollars - after a month or so dealers and collectors released that there was a bunch entering the market - when they found out that you could get a bag of silver dollars rom the Federal Reserve bank ( I think they were coming out of Philadelphia, but could have been DC also, might have been from other FR locations also). This massive "RUN" on the bags of silver dollars that had been Stored by the US govt for years in vaults led to a tremendous disbursement of Silver dollars thru about late 64 or early 65. Then it stopped. A hugh number of Siver dollars entered the market - including many bag toned dollars - but more was yet to come - the mint had stopped releasing the silver dollars BEFORE they got to the several 1000 of bags of CC dollars - the now famous GSA dollars - AS silver was now NOT part of the US coinage system and even the Mint knew that eachj silver dollar contained more than a dollar's woth of silver, the Gov't decided to get into the coin business & sold the money that you could only spend for a dollar for $15 to $30 dollars each. The "tarnished" dollars were sold at a discount due to the perception that they were less desirable! Again there were many toned Morgans in those sales and you can find bag toned CC morgan still residing in the GSA holders - But better was to come - I don't know the dates, but when the Continental bag hoard was discovered, the less than optimal storage conditions had resulted in some Spectacular toned coins - while most collectors like blast white - there were several dealers and collectors who quietly bought up these toned dollars at small premiums over their white counterparts - the reason you didn't see many spectacular toned dollars then is because there was a quiet group of collectors and dealers who wanted them and bought them and hid them away. THey were there then - its just when you could buy a coin for $2-$3 over white (no Gem 67 crazy premiums then) common date white @ $10, Gems for $12, Killer toners for $15 (or something similar) those killer coins just disappeared and the collect public got what they wanted - White coins.

Today, you've got the internet and someone in Podunk USA can post up a killer toner on ebay and the whole world gets to see it - in the 60's you had to be in the right place at the right time - or you didn't get to see 'em. THat might explain why you think there's more of 'em. I think the real difference is now everyone can see 'em; when they were just being released ( and put away by some very astute people) they didn't get exposed as much to the general public.

Probably is part of the explanation - I'm sure there's more, but that would require in depth research with some of the old time colectors and dealers who were there "at the release" of the great silver rush.