New Photos: 1879 Toned Morgan Dollar (2-Sided Toner)
Stuart
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I'm pleased to share this new (first of 2018) purchase with my fellow forum members, and will be interested to read your comments about it.
The Mauve and Blue Toning caught my eye and my interest! 
I just acquired it this evening via auction, so don't yet have it in hand.
1879 Toned Morgan Dollar (2-Sided Toner)
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
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Comments
Looks nice!
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I hope it looks a lot better in hand. From the posted pics it should have sold at a bargain price.
OINK
...that baby looks like she spent the last decade living in bong-water...u could name her “Oreo Cookie” with the NGC prongs playing the all-important role of stuffing...A Morgan chalk full of character IMO, Congrats
Light it up and repost
Not my preference, but the detail looks good.... Cheers, RickO
Thanks to all those who have so far posted your comments. - I appreciate them all!
I personally like this type of 2-sided natural (perhaps envelope) toning, typically brown with some blue around the periphery.
IMO this type of toning gives a certain "balance " to the obverse and reverse of the coin, which to me is preferable to one-sided toning.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
toning helped on this one. Nice even tone and not too many marks on the rim. Nice add
added: I would not lighten this one up. no need to enhance what you don't see glaring. Like it as is.
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@3keepSECRETif2rDEAD - I appreciate & agree with your following quoted observation that this Morgan Dollar is Full of Character.
One of the reasons that I enjoy collecting Toned Morgans is precisely that each coin is a unique example, exhibiting individual characteristics and identity compared with untoned examples.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Too dark for me....but it does cover the reverse finger prints pretty well.
bob
Interesting color but it’s a little too dark for my tastes.
How does an uncirculated coin wind up with this type of color on both sides?
@skier07 - In reply to your following quoted question, this type of 2-sided Brown & Blue Toning is typical of a coin that was stored in a brown paper envelope over a period of years.
The cause of the toning is thought to be sulfur in the paper and glue in the envelope which chemically react with the 90% Silver and 10% Copper in the Morgan Dollar to form a thin layer of Silver Sulfide.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Here are my updated photos of the subject coin, for comparison with the auction photos posted earlier in this thread. Although these photos better depict the coin's luster, they do not fully convey the luster when the coin is examined in hand.
I was very pleased when examining the coin to see that it demonstrates beautiful strong "Cartwheel" Satiny to Semi-Prooflike mint luster when rotated under light, and Cameo Contrast against Frosty Devices. It reminds me of the beautiful blooming mint luster typical of an 1881-S Morgan Dollar.
I'm surprised that it did not earn either a Plus Grade and/or a Star Designation based on the coin's attractive Mauve/Brown/Blue dual-sided toning, strong strike and excellent preservation state.
The obverse appears close to Prooflike reflectivity beneath the richly colored toning. It's a very challenging coin to accurately photograph to demonstrate both the Mint Luster and Toning Coloration.
By purchasing this coin via online auction, I received the benefit of lackluster auction photos (posted earlier in this thread) which do not accurately depict or convey the strong mint luster. The Toning Colors really light up when you rotate the coin in light, as the surface reflectivity illuminates it from beneath and through the toning.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
I like the new pics better. Doesn't look so subdued. Nice Morgan! So is it a 65?
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@bsshog40 Thanks for your post indicating that you prefer my new subject coin photos over the original auction photos.
It’s a very challenging coin to photograph to depict both the luster and the toning.
In reply to your following question, I’ll post the grade after giving others a chance to comment. However, IMO this coin is a candidate to receive a Plus (+) Grade and/or perhaps a Star ⭐️ Designation.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"