Poll: What do you think of the toning on this 1837 half dollar?
BillJones
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So what do you think of the toning on this 1837 Reeded Edge Half Dollar? There is full luster and not rub unthe toning on this piece. The assigned grade is MS-64.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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It was distracting.
Like her, though the toning could be secondary from a long ago dip.
If I'm interpreting the images correctly then the white balance is off quite a bit. My interpretation leads me to believe the coin is mostly toned in an auburn with violet-blue near the rims. This might be original, but if I am interpreting it correctly it also might be the result of a very well known, old-time method to artificially tone coins.
My first thought was secondary toning. But, in either case I like the look. The coin is sharp and doesn't have the typical rub that MS64's and lower tend to have on the eagle's wing tips and knuckles. A premium looking example imo. I'd hate it if it were dipped out white.
That's also the same type of look that would come about from decades of storage in old paper envelopes. The coin will turn mottled brown colors with some purples and blues giving highlights...and silver spotting/blotching here or there. It's probably not a look than many like. Then again, I sort of like it. And it could be totally original. I'd lean more towards the primary toning side as it would take decades to tone back like this after a dipping...and would still probably need to be placed in an album or envelope to generate this much color.
In this case, it doesn't for me. It's generally even, and pleasing. So, I like it.
(As a result of my stance, I generally don't like the "Monster" toned, vivid colors, coins. Works out for everyone....I don't have to pay the premium, and those who love them don't have me as a competitor).
I'd be quite happy owning it, though.
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I'm not in love with it but I like it just fine.
Lance.
Here the sister coin, an 1838 half dollar with similar toning. This one is a PCGS MS-62 which is an accurate grade.
Like her, though the toning could be secondary from a long ago dip.
That's what I was thinking. I love it though!
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I really like threads like this although they would be even more educational if we could all see the coin in person. Thanks for posting, Bill.
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Thanks for posting it.
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Here is a link to a question about an 1834 CBH I own. (linked rather than post pics)
Certainly not as nice as Bill's, however, does seem to have the same basic color.
Perhaps is the way they tone?
1990 ANACS holder.
For those who like white coins, here is the 1837 half dollar that used to be in my collection. It is graded MS-61. I bought it raw many years ago as an AU and paid to have it graded.
This one is my favorite of the three, followed by the 38 and then the MS-64 which, I agree, was likely dipped. Still, it is well struck and high grade, so it is difficult to be hyper critical as all three are nice in a short series where it takes work to find nice ones.
Tom
My first thought was secondary toning. But, in either case I like the look. The coin is sharp and doesn't have the typical rub that MS64's and lower tend to have on the eagle's wing tips and knuckles. A premium looking example imo. I'd hate it if it were dipped out white.
Regarding the 1837, which is plainly an AU58 with wear on the high points, despite the assigned grade, I actually love this coin. Sure, it's mostly "white," but if I had to guess, I'd say this is a rare example of a nearly untoned 19th century coin that has never seen the dip jar.
Roadrunner:
My first thought was secondary toning. But, in either case I like the look. The coin is sharp and doesn't have the typical rub that MS64's and lower tend to have on the eagle's wing tips and knuckles. A premium looking example imo. I'd hate it if it were dipped out white.
Regarding the 1837, which is plainly an AU58 with wear on the high points, despite the assigned grade, I actually love this coin. Sure, it's mostly "white," but if I had to guess, I'd say this is a rare example of a nearly untoned 19th century coin that has never seen the dip jar.
That 1837 half had been dipped for sure. My pictures don't show everything, and sometimes more than is there. It got the convincing toning during the 15 years I owned it prior to slabbing it. You would amazed at what years in an envelope can do.
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Sure fooled me! The bits of crud in between the eagle's feathers and the shield lines made me think it never went swimming. Well, that's it- I'm sticking with coins that have black toning!
Dipping does not always remove all of the dirt and the deep down black toning. Sometimes it takes a pick or a crowbar.