New Guy Question

JapanJohn

Okay, I've introduced myself earlier ...... Now it's time to show my stupidity.

When I collected as a kid there were books, and coin holders you could pop a coin in. As I recall it was "Good" "Fine" "Extra Fine" or something like that. Now there's grading. That's cool. And the internet and photos are even cooler.

However, the whole toning thing has caught me off guard. Do coins tone naturally, or is it something that is artifically induced? Does it increase or decrease the value or is it proportional to you the collector just digging toned coins.

Is there any kind of FAQ or book you guys can point me to regarding toned coins? I don't recall an active interest in toning existing when I was a kid. I'm sure there was one but we couldn't communicate in those days like we do in these days.

John

LeeG

and heres one of many links for you. Search for TCCS also.

Toning

curly

OK....Here's my opinion on that.....This toning thing has grabbed the industry by the butt. I'm not talking about the natural "skin" or patina that a coin gets. Don't get me wrong, I like a coin with crust. I'm speaking of those wild looking "things" that just drives everyone to go gaga.

Lately, a common date Peace and a common date Buffalo went for moon money for no other reason than the wild toning. At least one of them was suspected of being tampered with. It's been shown again and again that coins can be toned with eye popping colors artifically now and yet they go sailing out the door with hefty price tags.

There is a "look" that a coin developes over the years. I would advise you to look at as many coins as you can and get a feel for a "look" that you like. I like a nice halo of crust. If I have to wear a welder's mask just to look at it then I don't want it.

Thats my take on it anyway

pharmer

Read completely through rob790's opening paragraphs.

I agree with Lee, start out with the science of it. The emotions and opinions of it will obscure rather than illuminate.

ddbird

Toning occurs both naturally (over many years the metals react to tone) and Artficially (done to increase the eye appeal of the coin)

If toning is natural NT and attractive it will increase the price of the coin. Sometimes by hundreds of percents of the coins normal cost. For example, a common date morgan dollar may sell for $50 in MS63. An amazing NT toned morgan dollar of the same date and grade can sell upwards of $1000.

It all depends on how the coin looks.

Now AT coins normally have a very "fake" look. This occurs from someone torchin a coin, or adding sulfur and chemcially toning a coin. Normally AT coins can be picked out becuase they follow odd color patterns and just look un-normal

NT coins tend to follow the same spectrum of colors. They may be in different degrees and variances, but the same pattern is normally there.

It takes alot of practice to tell NT and AT coins apart. Sometimes, AT coins will even fool the pros. It really depends on whats market acceptable. If a majority of people will say a coin is attractive and NT, it will bring a premium.

nankraut

IMHO, with all the "coin doctors" out there, it's silly to pay a large premium for a "toned" coin. In any case, I would never pay a premium for a RAW toned coin.