How do you like your early proof silver coins?

dan1ecu

Hi, Everybody -

Untoned, cameo Barbers, Seated Liberties, and Trade Dollars sure are neat, but chances are that they've been dipped or cleaned to make them look that way. Toned pieces are nice, but if the toning is too heavy, it makes the coin look dark and unattractive.

What's the ideal look for an old, silver proof coin? Do prefer white, or toned?

Dan

JrGMan2004

Nice toning Colorful toning

BillJones

I like them original, which usually means toned. Most any pure white Barber or earlier silver Proof coin that you see has been dipped. Sometimes the dipping comes out really well, and the coin has an "orginal" look (i.e. looks like it did the day it came out of the mint.). Most of the time the coin has the markings of dipped, which is not attractive to me.

I also like orginal toned coins because they are stable. There is less chance that they are going to grow an ugly spot. With dipped coins you can take as much care as you car storing them, but if some of the solution is still on they piece, they will tone and spot.

The VERY BEST Proof coins are the matched pieces that are in orginal sets. These coins bring premiums well over the individual coin prices because of their beauty and uniform appearance. I owned a 1909 Proof set years ago that was totally orginal. I sold it make the down payment on my first home. The home investment was great, but in some ways I do miss that set. It was

RYK

Like this:

mgoodm3

Lightly toned, not too heavy and dark to obscure the detail

rhedden

I like them toned, and it doesn't have to be rainbow toning- even light brown toning is OK, as long as it looks original. The toning should be light enough that it doesn't interfere with the flash of the mirrors. If the toning is heavy enough to make the coin look dull, then it is eating into the surface, and I want no part of it. I want the coin to look like a proof. Early proofs can have a few scattered hairlines, as most do, but should not be covered with hairlines or look "wiped". One final thing that turns me away is hazy or milky toning, especially on Liberty and Shield nickels, but sometimes on silver too. Yuck- avoid at all costs.

mercurynut

I like my coins white if I can find them.

BillJones

Here's an example of a "low grade" Barber Proof quarter that pleases me. She only grades PCGS PR-63 because of some minor hairlines and a mint caused lint mark that is at 2 o'clock. Yet I bought her as soon as I saw her because she had never been dipped and had her original skin. BTW she looks better in person!

Oldnewbie

I've been buying "original" looking early proof coins and my budget will allow.
I'm having a terrible time taking pics of these coins. This photo is from Legend.
I have a 3CS in 65 that is "gun blue" that I wish I could photograph, but so far no luck.

Longacre

I prefer original. I don't know how a coin can be untoned at all (naturally) after all those years.

mgoodm3

Like this:

CarlWohlforth

I agree with what BillJones said in his first post. So why am I replying? Because it gives me a chance to show off my 1907 proof set

CUEBALL

I like pretty and light toning,light color around the edges going to brilliant in the center.No dipped coins for me because of possibe spotting later. I have had that happen to me in unc. coins and proof so I buy original coins from now on.

boiler78

Like this

D

I always preferred old proofs un-toned. Maybe I'm just weird . Boiler... that isn't your coin is it? .

-Daniel

LeeG

What else can you say about these "AWESOME" Coins? Lee

boiler78

D - Yes it is my coin. I bought it at the Eliasberg sale in 96 That was a sale to remember. I can't help but wonder what that collection would bring at auction today??

tradedollarnut

This is the look I like. Golden centers with electric blue peripheries:

boiler78

TDN

michael

i like the gem proof cameo 1829 half dime the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

michael

for me the ideal way for a pre 1916 proof coin to come is many ways

1--totally blast white brilliant strong cameo to deep/ultra cameo really choice to gem proof with great eye appeal with no spots stains haze cloudiness and with flash and blast if it has an extremely light even skin on the coin no problem!

2-- nicely to killer toned really choice to gem proof with tremendous eye appeal

michael

Regulated

michael

a rare die variety of a proof seated coin................. so far unique


michael

TonedPeaceNut

Dang!!! that's a nice proof set Carl --- I'm trying the same but in 1911 -- I'm just missing the dime!






Anyone have a 64-66CAM toned Dime to let me finish this set!!! I haven't been able to find a single one in 2 years.


TPN

Windycity

I like white and toned... here's a nice set

Windycity

And I like this one - though very different from the 1892

michael

morgannut2

Laura Sperber is said to have some of her personal money in matching original toned old proof sets. That should tell you something.