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The importance of stability in toning

tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
I used to own this coin but sold it off. Honestly, it looked like neither image at the time. Even taking the different style of images into account, it does make me wonder - how long until it's black?



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Comments

  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    part of the appeal of the older holders?
    LCoopie = Les
  • StaircoinsStaircoins Posts: 2,566 ✭✭✭

    This concept, IMO, is one of the advantages of older holders.

    They give the buyer at least a general idea of how long a coin is likely to have been stable.

    (Before the flaming starts - yes, I realize that holders are not airtight, and that coins have been AT'd in their slabs. The above is only a guideline.)



  • renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,631 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My only Barber Half is black. Came in an NGC 62 holder, pretty black already, and I'm pretty sure the color is where the grade is, as it's hardly marked at all.

    If any of my copper starts to turn, it will be sold ASAP. The very idea that they will change is quite frightening. Thank goodness for dry climates.
  • TwoKopeikiTwoKopeiki Posts: 9,707 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Coins shouldn't change that drastically already encapsulated. The only thing I can think of is that they were put in the holder already with some active agent on the surface of the coin. That's one of the reasons I give an acetone bath to anything that goes out to get entombed.
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sorry, but those photos suck and I can't/won't make any judgements based on them.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,393 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seller - "Monster toning - Godzilla!!"

    Buyer - "Looks like it's turning black?".

    image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Sorry, but those photos suck and I can't/won't make any judgements based on them. >>



    The top photo is a recent true view from coin facts. I have no idea where that golden color is coming from - it wasn't on the coin a few years ago.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    I agree, stability is important, but without seeing the coin in hand over time, I'm not sure how one can deduce anything has happened on the Gobrecht (i.e. it can simply be the photo).
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,403 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I agree, stability is important, but without seeing the coin in hand over time, I'm not sure how one can deduce anything has happened on the Gobrecht (i.e. it can simply be the photo). >>



    Exactly.
    Trueview or not, I would want to see it in hand before proclaiming it is changing.
    Photo could be done to bring out the *snap* of the toning and make it look slightly different than the other photo, and what you perceive.
    So, again, in this case and without knowing the coin, I would say the photos suck for what you are trying to drive home.....one cannot tell from the photos that the toning is not stable.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,323 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you haven't seen the coin in-hand recently I would urge you to be very careful about making any assumptions on how it looks from the TrueView images. I write this because there is another coin that I just examined that showed up with fairly dramatic toning on the TrueView that did not match previous images of the coin. The coin in-hand looked essentially nothing like the TrueView in terms of color. Be careful; you can be fooled.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you haven't seen the coin in-hand recently I would urge you to be very careful about making any assumptions on how it looks from the TrueView images. I write this because there is another coin that I just examined that showed up with fairly dramatic toning on the TrueView that did not match previous images of the coin. The coin in-hand looked essentially nothing like the TrueView in terms of color. Be careful; you can be fooled. >>



    Ok, that's certainly possible in this case. It's been about 4 years since I've seen it.
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,948 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "how long until it's black?"

    My son Justin (a Chemistry major now at UCLA) is currently working with a Physics professor at UCSB to try to figure that exact question out. I can't wait to hear what they come up with!

    Wondercoin
    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,467 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>"how long until it's black?"
    My son Justin (a Chemistry major now at UCLA) is currently working with a Physics professor at UCSB to try to figure that exact question out. I can't wait to hear what they come up with! >>


    I'm guessing they will come up with an elaborate multifunction plot, as the length of time will vary from a few days to many decades, depending on temp and other environmental conditions.
    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    definitely not until 2188 the soonest
    LCoopie = Les
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've tracked some deeply toned gem seated coins from the early 1980's and today they are still unchanged. No darker than they were almost 30 yrs ago.
    The one exception was one that someone dipped and stripped to get a 1 pt upgrade. That coin got lighter...lol. The deeper old time blue-gray or gray-brown types of toning
    can be very stable. But today's hot shots aren't very interested in such toning as the blast is somewhat muted and they can't earn a star, maybe not even a jolly green bean.
    Ed Milas bought some early choice/gem 1850's silver mint sets around the 1988 ANA. They were a deep blue-black and had to be dipped. Some of those came out outstanding
    earning 66 grades at the time which is about as high as one could achieve. I owned one of those coins from 1994-2006 and it had already turned back a mottled, light
    golden brown over half the coin...while holdered. The next time the coin has to be dipped it will become somewhat lifeless. The coin did remain white for several years though.
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • OGDanOGDan Posts: 3,748 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you haven't seen the coin in-hand recently I would urge you to be very careful about making any assumptions on how it looks from the TrueView images. I write this because there is another coin that I just examined that showed up with fairly dramatic toning on the TrueView that did not match previous images of the coin. The coin in-hand looked essentially nothing like the TrueView in terms of color. Be careful; you can be fooled. >>


    I have had this same experience recently with multiple "true views". Best to judge the coin in hand.
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  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,174 ✭✭✭✭✭
    'tis why I prefer gold image
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,003 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My kingdom for a "before" shot.
  • bestclser1bestclser1 Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    And Todds pics too,and others as well!
    Great coins are not cheap,and cheap coins are not great!
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How has the coin been stored the last four years?

    Intercept? Or no intercept?

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    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • bestclser1bestclser1 Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭


    << <i>How has the coin been stored the last four years?

    Intercept? Or no intercept?

    This is not an advertisement. >>

    Seriously intercept shield holders do help!image
    Great coins are not cheap,and cheap coins are not great!
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm with the camp that questions the differences in the photography setup. This single example is a bit to anecdotal to draw any meaningful conclusions.

    Still, somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm aware that pesky sulfur molecules are slowwwwwly working into my coin boxes, permeating the slabs, and doing their dirty work. At some future date all the silver will be horribly ugly. If Ricko is still around he'll be laughing at us.
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  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    how would you know?

    you don't know, but base your decision on logic, science, information available, cost, potential benefit, potential risk

    balance all those factors and decide for yourself

    if you have a $5000 coin do you want to find out later, or just spend $10 and use them

    LCoopie = Les
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i use the red intercept boxes which holds up to about 55 to 60 slabs and find them good enough. True, they are not double intercept sealed but that might be overkill?
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,268 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Its just a matter of time as coins are constantly reacting with the atmosphere. And with all the pollutants in the atmosphere these days who knows what kind of ugly toning will happen. Salt air is especially one culprit in dark toning. When I see stickered big ticket coins which have spots, especially black spots or heavy dark toning I have to wonder if the whole stickering thing was invented so these dealers buried in this material could get rid of them LOL. Many of these coins appear to need a dip or professional conservation and I am sure the seller would be glad to be rid of them as they will further get worse over time. In time, they will get get really ugly.

    Over and over customers at shows want coins which are brilliant, wellstruck, with nice luster. I have always considered darkly toned, spotted coins ugly, low end, and below average quality. One of the risks with big ticket coins is that the coin will go bad in the holder and be a problem in selling. As a dealer I am in the business to move coins quickly but nevertheless I have seen coins go bad in the holder in just a couple of years. One problem is coins submitted for grading in soft flips which contain PVC. This will damage the coins somewhere down the road resulting in a sort of haze or even green ugly gunk like toning. At that point the coin is ruined. Good luck in getting rid of it.
    Coins & Currency
  • fishcookerfishcooker Posts: 3,446 ✭✭
    One way to know, is if all your coins are stored in the same SDB, but some are in intercept boxes and bags.
  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you haven't seen the coin in-hand recently I would urge you to be very careful about making any assumptions on how it looks from the TrueView images. I write this because there is another coin that I just examined that showed up with fairly dramatic toning on the TrueView that did not match previous images of the coin. The coin in-hand looked essentially nothing like the TrueView in terms of color. Be careful; you can be fooled. >>

    Odds are high that the Trueview photos are not accurate with regard to color and toning depth.

    In a recent thread on color in images some of us argued for "in-hand" views. Others wanted hidden color, only seen with certain angles and lighting, exaggerated. Trueview photos tend to favor the latter.
    Lance.


  • << <i>Its just a matter of time as coins are constantly reacting with the atmosphere. And with all the pollutants in the atmosphere these days who knows what kind of ugly toning will happen. Salt air is especially one culprit in dark toning. When I see stickered big ticket coins which have spots, especially black spots or heavy dark toning I have to wonder if the whole stickering thing was invented so these dealers buried in this material could get rid of them LOL. Many of these coins appear to need a dip or professional conservation and I am sure the seller would be glad to be rid of them as they will further get worse over time. In time, they will get get really ugly.

    Over and over customers at shows want coins which are brilliant, wellstruck, with nice luster. I have always considered darkly toned, spotted coins ugly, low end, and below average quality. One of the risks with big ticket coins is that the coin will go bad in the holder and be a problem in selling. As a dealer I am in the business to move coins quickly but nevertheless I have seen coins go bad in the holder in just a couple of years. One problem is coins submitted for grading in soft flips which contain PVC. This will damage the coins somewhere down the road resulting in a sort of haze or even green ugly gunk like toning. At that point the coin is ruined. Good luck in getting rid of it. >>

    A lot of poeple just buy plastic and labels though and dont really care about the coin.

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