Toning: More valuable than you may think

JCB1983

I have heard various debates and conjectures on the subject of toning. I only see the value of toned coins going up. If you track bin/auction activity on both ebay and herritage auction you will see that Toned Morgans and Toned Franklins are in serious demand. With this being said the PCGS/NGC slab (not to mention the sniffer) adds to the security and comfort of the would be buyer. There is also something artistically pleasing about a well toned coin that will never go away. Even a YN who just started collecting yesturday can see a nicely toned coin and appreciate it for the art alone. Sure there are numerous AT junk coins out there. They are trying to replicate something that cannot be replicated. Nobody... and many have tried to replicate a well toned coin, but the experts can always tell a difference. What are your feelings on toning?

Elcontador

With all due respect, I think your focus is too broad. In today's market, the only toned coins for which people will pay a premium are those which are universally deemed to be attractive and do not impede an Unc. coin's luster in the slightest way.

lasvegasteddy

i love it when the eye appeal is there
it is a favorite part of my collection and always will...why i've been addressing that 1st when hopping back in
eye appeal...to me is 1st and foremost when it comes to coins
the right toners...fit that bill nicely

value...guessing on value...tricky
maybe one day
liberty1957 100 greatest sites had will be adapted and toners can be "sub-graded" on the quality of the toning
until then
we are still in dark ages here

Zoins

(1) Only certain types of toning warrant a premium as Elcontador wrote, so I'd be weary of blanket statements here.
(2) The number of series that have toners in demand go well beyond Morgans and Frankies, as evidenced by the interest in WingedLiberty1957's 100 Greatest websites mentioned by lasvegasteddy.
(3) The experts cannot always tell AT. There are numerous examples of AT that ended up fooling the experts and getting into top plastic. If you think the experts can always tell, read up some more grasshopper

Lehigh96

I am an avid collector of toned coins as you know, but to state that NT can't be replicated is rather optimistic. I have many gorgeously toned Jefferson Nickels that I honestly have no idea about the originality of the toning.

stealer

<< <i>I have heard various debates and conjectures on the subject of toning. I only see the value of toned coins going up. If you track bin/auction activity on both ebay and herritage auction you will see that Toned Morgans and Toned Franklins are in serious demand. With this being said the PCGS/NGC slab (not to mention the sniffer) adds to the security and comfort of the would be buyer. There is also something artistically pleasing about a well toned coin that will never go away. Even a YN who just started collecting yesturday can see a nicely toned coin and appreciate it for the art alone. Sure there are numerous AT junk coins out there. They are trying to replicate something that cannot be replicated. Nobody... and many have tried to replicate a well toned coin, but the experts can always tell a difference. What are your feelings on toning? >>


The good coin doctors have already tricked the experts. The best ones haven't been caught yet. I still appreciate toning for what it is, but I don't see the market expanding any more than it already has.

Sonorandesertrat

I totally agree with Zoins' comment. Only a very small percentage of nicely toned coins realistically command large 'toning premiums'. The rest sit in inventories, waiting for greater fools to show up.

WTCG

In a nutshell, there is toning, ugly toning and attractive toning worth a premium. Contrary to most collectors' beliefs, toning is more often than not a liability and will decrease the value of a coin. The term "original skin" gets thrown around a lot but the truth is "original skin" only works on certain series and not others.

There area coins that bear superb natural toning that are worthy of a premium and coins like that will always carry a premium. Of course beauty is subjective but the important lesson for toning enthusiasts to learn is to know what type of toning is considered universally attractive and worth a premium and what isn't.

Also collectors of toned coins should keep in mind that the method of storage of their toned coins is absolutely vital. Toning and colors will change over time and improper storage will accelerate that change. Too often I see coins that have evidence of beautiful colors and patterns that grew dark over time due to improper storage.