Options
Are toned coins worth more?
KDS
Posts: 5 ✭✭
I'm a new collector of Morgan dollars. I'm in my mid-50s and haven't bought a coin since I was a teenager. I always preferred blast white coins (and I still do), but there seems to be a significant number of collectors who desire toned dollars. I only collect graded coins, so I won't buy raw coins with thant could be toned artificially. Is an identical graded toned coin worth more than one that is blast white? Should I consider adding toned coins to my collection? Thanks in advance.
0
Comments
Add toned coins to your collection if they are aesthetically pleasing to you and you understand what they are and are comfortable with the price. That's it and it is no different than any other coin niche.
As for the title of your question, well, toned coins that some find attractive can go for astoundingly high prices while those that are visually challenged can be tough to move. You will likely get many varied opinions on this topic in this thread and some might even have legitimate insight, but it will be up to you to divine which is which.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Totally depends on the toning. Total black charcoal toning is usually a pretty big negative. However some nice rainbow rim toning may boost value. Also depends if the toning appears to be natural or artificial. If a tgp thinks it's artificial the coin will get a details grade. Evaluate on a coin by coin bases..
Buy what you love. I like toning myself, but its not for everyone. its def cheaper to buy blast white. Toning can sometimes add huge premiums to guide price.
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
@ KDS
WELCOME to the forum!!! In general, very nice and interesting toners tend to carry a premium over the whites in my experience, and like yourself, I'm a blast white coin lover as well especially with early date coins as they can be hard to find without toning 😎
🇺🇸 Harlequin
harlequinnumismatic@gmail.com
Home of the Americana Collection of USA silver coins
As was alluded to previously, attractive toning can increase a coin's value and negative eye appeal from unattractive toning can hurt a coin's value. For more modern issues and those where original blast white coins can exist (e.g. Morgan and Peace Dollars), blast white is fine. For other series, like early federal, blast white indicates dipping and many (most) collectors prefer original surfaces especially if the coin is attractive.
I prefer blast white most of the time as well. If the toning is pleasing in appearance and looks good im good with that as well
I like toning on my Morgans but only own a few. The premium on really pretty ones has gotten crazy the last 3-5 years in my opinion. Having said that, I paid a HEFTY premium for this onw but it's dazzling in hand.
.
I would say some toned coins are and some are not. I suggest looking at a lot of toned coins before you decide what is pleasing to you and I mean a lot like 500 or so. Some toning doesn’t command a premium some does. typically the rainbow neon bright swaps of different band colors on a Morgan tend to be more desirable largely than model, dark or gray, colorless toning. Also the grade of the particular coin and the particular third-party holder it’s in makes a difference. a low-grade Morgan that’s an MS 61 with beautiful toning isn’t a desirable as one in 65 assuming PCGS of course the chatter on a 61 disturbs the toning. on a 65 or higher, the coins are nicer less distractions in the toning stands out more. That’s been my experience over the years also artificial toning is prevalent and it’s important to educate yourself on the difference. I hope that helps.
The court jester does not play, but gently pulls the strings…
If you like blast white Morgans more, then go with that for your collection. Toned coins have a strong following and they can bring a premium (large range of premiums depending on how strong/vibrant/unique the toning is). But if you’re collecting based on what you like, the most important thing is to find the coins you like.
And cynically also what will sticker if you’re looking at expensive investment grade coins.
I always said that a 100 coin blast white Morgan collection would be pretty darn….boring. Perhaps repetitive is a better word. Whereas Sunnywood did an amazing set as toned as he could find. And auroraborealis has some toners that will just knock your socks off as well.
“Sticker” might be foreign to a self-professed “new collector”.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Welcome to the forum and best of luck in connection with the pursuit of those coins you find attractive.
There are down sides to blast white and toned coins... and I will do my best to explain. But before explanations start, you really need to confirm whether original surfaces and whether a natural look to a coin in contrast to a coin that simply may not adequately reflect what a reasonable look should be for the age of the coin under consideration. Originality is important to me and I have already conceded that I am in the minority. But before you go down either path, you should have an appreciation for what is at stake.
Blast white coins have. in certain circumstances, been dipped and simply look processed to the point that it is not about blast white... but blast enhanced. In collecting white coins, please take the extra effort to look at the surfaces and how to decide what is really natural in contrast to what has been enhanced to bring out luster in anticipation of a higher grade. And there really is a difference between what needs to be done to prevent further damage to a coin due to environmental issues in contrast seeking to bring out the reflectivity associated with luster.
Toned coins usually can spark a lively debate over what is natural toning verse artificial toning. This involves skill through examining many coins to determine what is and simply is not possible through aging and storage... and not to mention a prior enhancement/dip. Sometimes the answer is obvious... but not always.
No matter which direction you choose to travel... be prepared for all the bumps in either road you choose to take. And to silence the critics, I will post a coin to avoid the argument that this thread is worthless without a picture. And this is a first run image.., and actually this is the first time I am seeing it. Not a compelling image and it looks significantly better in hand. But it does illustrate my point in terms of original surfaces,
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Attractive toning is valuable. I don't like it because it's subjective and hard to put a price on. I prefer the blast white. But I can see the appeal.
Ugly toning often conceals surface conditions. If you restore a toned coin often it will downgrade. On this basis I would expect toned coins to be worth less but that's not the case. Collectors seem to be OK with surface issues they can't see.
Proof type coins can offer some great toning:
Buyer beware. I am aware of at least one dealer who tones ASEs in PCGS holders. I'm sure it could be done on other coins. Self educate on genuine vs artificial toning before getting too deep in.
“Land of the free because of the brave”
“Saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone”
In Deo solo confidimus
ΙΧΘΥΣ
ΙϹ ΧϹ ΝΙΚΑ (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΝΙΚΑ)
Member since 2026
Successful BST transactions with: Ted 1, JWP, bigjpst, Vetter, nickelsciolist, ajaan, USMarine6, ad4400, grote15, coinbuf, Gothat3rs, No Headlights, PROMETHIUS88, Harlequin, Coin Finder, Coins3675, CKcollectibles2
Toned coins are only worth more when I'm buying. When I'm selling they are environmental damaged and sell for less.
If the toning is eye appealing in a better date/mm coin in a higher grade, then yes by all means it adds value imo.
If the toning is eye appealing on most any coin of any grade, then yes, by all means, it can add value.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
"Are toned coins worth more?"
It depends.
I recommend you get ahold of The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook by Wayne Miller. In that book you will see many pictures of some of the most beautiful toned dollars in existence. This book can be purchased for about the price one has to pay for an ordinary, common-date silver dollar these days.
They're the kind of thing you like, if you like that kind of thing.
And if you like it, you'll pay more for it than if you don't like it.
I don't like garish toning; lots of people love garish toning.
I would never pay nearly as much for a "toned" Morgan dollar as I would pay for a blast white one.
But I do me; you should do you.
I know this is off topic, but is there any significant change with attractive toning? To a less desirable effect of the toning? Will the Sunnywood Morgans turn less attractive in fifty years? I know that climate control storage is important for preservation, but is there any type of tracking on if certain coins of value look different today than twenty-five years ago? I’m not a collector of valuable toned coins for this simple reason. I know that copper can change drastically from red to brown.