In most cases, beautiful capped bust half toning comes from coins that were once dipped or lightly cleaned and then placed in a high sulfur environment such as paper, albums, etc. 100% orig busties will almost never be exhibiting neon-like colors. Original bust halves tend to exhibit less exciting colors like browns, grays, and blues. But this fact seems to be lost on those paying huge premiums for gem bust toners. And in most cases, those very same toners are slighlty deficient in depth or lack of luster, exhibit hairlines or other signs of the earlier abuse. I see too many MS65 bust halves in holders where 50% of the obv field luster is missing. How does that work?
In the case of the photo above, I'm not sure if that's 100% orig toning or not. But I'd lean towards it being orig. A nice looking coin in any event that is worthy of a premium compared to a conserved specimen.
I think that the coin in the OP would look a little different in hand. It looks to be flooded with light to bring out those colors. I think it will be a little darker in hand and probably more appealing in my opinion. I also believe this is clearly secondary toning after a dip but acceptable as such.
I find the color on this coin to exhibit a somewhat unnatural progression and distribution. I believe it was dipped & retoned, perhaps with a little help. However, I am more lenient on older series than I would be on Morgans, for example, where I am always trying to weed out coins that I don't believe in.
As far as the PCGS MS64 shown above (as well as the OP's ANACS AU55), I have long since learned not to opine too strongly based solely on images. Images can make natural toning look extremely unnatural, and vice versa. Best to see the coin in hand before finalizing a judgment.
Comments
How does that work?
In the case of the photo above, I'm not sure if that's 100% orig toning or not. But I'd lean towards it being orig. A nice looking coin in any event that is worthy of a premium compared to a conserved specimen.
roadrunner
<< <i>Any chance this coin would cross over into a PCGS slab? >>
On a coin like this it would all depend on how much luster is left--would need to see it in hand
There is a chance. It looks like a solid AU but I have no idea if PCGS would find some issue with the toning.
I'm more used to the look of the following coin. In hand it is a bit more grey than in the photo. PCGS felt it was XF material and certified it:
Looks like Classic “Wayte Raymond Toning” to me...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I get the impression the coin you showed is the same way,probably looks plain brown straight on,then the colors show when tilted just right.
I agree with the consensus here that the way it was stored for a long time caused the toning,looks good to me.I like it.
It looks to be flooded with light to bring out those colors. I think
it will be a little darker in hand and probably more appealing in my opinion.
I also believe this is clearly secondary toning after a dip but acceptable as
such.
As far as the PCGS MS64 shown above (as well as the OP's ANACS AU55), I have long since learned not to opine too strongly based solely on images. Images can make natural toning look extremely unnatural, and vice versa. Best to see the coin in hand before finalizing a judgment.
Best,
Sunnywood
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)