How uncommon is nice toning, really?

dan1ecu

Hi, Everybody -

I realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that some people are more talented than others with respect to writing flattering descriptions of coins. Nevertheless, are coins with what would generally be considered "nice toning" more readily available than most realize?

As far as color on a coin is concerned, for what would you be willing to pay a significant premium? What is truly rare and desirable when it comes to toning?

Dan

MadMonk

In my experience, and bear in mind this is a subjective area, many people who describe toning as nice, or rainbow, are way off base.

pharmer

Anything in particular, like a current auction or ebay listing, get you thinking about this?

One thing is for sure, when you ask about being "more readily available," that definitely applies to colorless, they-all-look-alike untoned coins. The uniqueness of a particular coin's toning, it's color combination and pattern and richness, create the premium if any. It's a given that no two are alike, and "more readily available" does not apply.

Russ

It depends on your definition of "nice". Is toning common? Yes. Is okay toning common? Yes. Maybe even "nice" toning is common. But, eye-popping, cardiac arrest producing, twitch in the pants creating, sell the wife and kids and mortgage the house to buy it toning is rare.

Russ, NCNE

Stuart

Dan: As a recent purchase example (this past weekend), I was able to trade for the following attractively toned coin (in my opinion) for 2 Morgans totalling approximately $25 above the CDN Greysheet MS-63 Ask price for the 1881-CC -- so virtually no commercial premium over standard grade.

I purchased this coin in person at last weekend's Houston S.W. Money Show. The obverse of the coin looks much more intensely toned with metallic reflective inky blues interspersed with brownish -reds, and has much greater eye appeal in person than in the photo.

This would be a tough coin to purchase from a scan or a digital image. It reminds me of why it's important to see a coin in person to better evaluate it -- especially toned coins.

1881-CC 2-Sided Toned PCGS MS-63 Morgan Dollar

nwcs

Nice toning is more common. But mind blowing toning is very rare. And you can always tell it when you see it.

mikebombs

the obverse is real perty

solid

For the Jeffersons that I've been buying the past number of years, the
toning I want looks something like this:




From my experience, these coins are very tough to find. Various
shades of gold are common, but high grade coins with rich, vibrant
colors and no problems (ie; carbon-spots) are scarce and sell quickly
and easily for many multiples of "normal" coins.

Ken

Russ

Did somebody mention toned Jeffersons?





Russ, NCNE

kryptonitecomics

I would pay a significant premium for any true neon rainbow Obverse toned Morgans. I al so like target toned coins or coins with colors you don't often see like Fountainheadgold's Green monster he bought raw on Ebay.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as previously stated, but there are just certain coins that are universally considered to be jaw droppers and in those cases...10X to 20X bid would not be out of the question.

MadMonk

<< <i>....... But, eye-popping, cardiac arrest producing, twitch in the pants creating, sell the wife and kids and mortgage the house to buy it toning is rare.

Russ, NCNE >>



I wonder how many of Anaconda's customers fit the above description.

morgannut2

Eye popping vibrant original toning IN COMBINATION with gem or better grade is very uncommon (really!). I would also use an anology for common/ordinary toning on less common-date coins. Between 1950 and 1970, high-end (less-common) antique collectable furniture with original surfaces brought little premium. Today so many pieces are resurfaced, the usual multiple for an decent but original surface on a high-quality moderately uncommon type piece is 5X to 10X the refinished price!!!. More and more coins are dipped and untoned--perhaps history has a way of repeating itself in other original (toned) collectables besides rarer furniture and fine art.

Stuart

<< More and more coins are dipped and untoned--perhaps history has a way of repeating itself in other original (toned) collectables besides rarer furniture and fine art. >>

Bill: I think that you have brought up an excellent point in the above quote.

I will also offer a similar example of the market premiums being offered for the remaining Morgan Dollars in their original U.S. Government GSA holders, versus those that were cracked out of them to be slabbed -- many prior to PCGS introducing the "GSA" designation and prior to NGC offering to certify them in their original government holders.

The crackouts are now assimilated into the general population of Morgans with no identifying distinction, while the "GSA" designated coins are known to have a specific numismatic and historic significance, and are also known to be original untampered with coins.

morgannut2

Excellant point and example Stuart! The premiums really are getting high for any GSA Morgan in GEM or a tougher date in any grade aren't they. And it sure isn't because those big Government Holders are easy to store!!

grip

I like this toning on Washingtons.

pharmer

That is a beautiful quarter, and seems like I saw it on ebay recently. One of manofcoins items, right?

FC57Coins

I would say that maybe out of every 100 toned coins, maybe 1 meets the criteria for being gem quality and toned in attractive colors and patterns. All too often we see "brown rainbow" coins hyped as something unusual, which they're not - They are original most likely, but they're not monsters.

grip

<< <i>That is a beautiful quarter, and seems like I saw it on ebay recently. One of manofcoins items, right? >>



pharmer
Yes,It was his.
........
Al

Stuart

Here's a better image of the 1881-CC which I posted earlier in this toned coin thread. This image more accurately depicts both the color tones and intensity than the previously posted image.

The coin still looks more vivid and velverty in luster in person than even this improved photo.

1881-CC PCGS Toned MS-63 Morgan Dollar


(Thanks to K6AZ for web hosting these higher resolution photos)

dan1ecu

Great eye appeal for an "MS63"!

There are some beautiful coins in this thread. Thanks for sharing!

Dan

keets

How uncommon is nice toning, really?

all coins struck.
those with toning.
those with attractive tone.
those with attractive tone and clean surfaces.
those with attractive tone and clean surfaces at a reasonable price.
..................................................................................................................................................

al h.

grip

pharmer

zen numismatics

FullStepJeffs

<< <i>Did somebody mention toned Jeffersons?





Russ, NCNE >>




Uh... Russ... one question... HOW MUCH?

Steve

ER

<< <i>How uncommon is nice toning, really? >>


Too common.

RGL

Hmmmm ... I think this one fits a few of the definitions above and true rainbow, to boot.

1907Quarter

Bustman

Try to find another bust quarter that looks like this...

grip

One more from the ...Manofcoins

michael

for pre 1916 proof and business strike coins with great toning eye appeal and higher technical choice to gem grades

uncommon......................

and currently many of these coins are value opportunity coins

blue chip coins