4,000 Posts Milestone....Toned Coin Giveaway WINNER ADDED!!!!

kryptonitecomics · April 23, 2006 11:44PM

Well I am not as prolific a poster as quite a few of you but I have still gotton a lot of enjoyment out of the show and tells and informative posts I have seen over the past 6 years. My passion for coins has never been stronger and the additions to my collection over the past year have been too many to count

I know most of you know me primarily as a Toned coin collector but that wasn't always the case. I began collecting blast white coins some 12+ years ago and only transitioned to toned coins in the past year and a half so I am not a toned coin snob bny anymeans. I just decided one day that my finances would never really allow me to own top tier rarities like some here so I decided to switch gears and look for coins that had unique attributes all to themselves.

They say no two toned coins are alike and I agree with that sentiment and it has made all the difference in the world as far as my ability to put toether a desirable and eye appealing collection that suits my tastes. For those that like blast white....I say more power too you as there is no right or wrong way to collect and there are some truly amazing untoned coins out there that I would trade my right arm for....

So in honor of this magnanimous occasion I am offering up a very nice toned Morgan that I purchased over a year ago. The coin is raw MS63 quality and features 100% natural End Roll toning but due to multiple scratches on the reverse.....it was BB'd by NGC. I truly felt like this coin should have holdered but as I just imagined it I can see why it had no chance, regardless it could find it's way into an ANACS net grader holder at the very least and the obverse is the money side as far as color. This is one of my favorite toned Morgan purchases over the past year and I am hopping it finds its way into the hands of a collector who will cherrish it as much as I do regardless of the scratches.

Rather than just have folks post to this thread to be entered into the drawing I would like each person who posts to say a few words about what they like or dislike about toning on a coin.

There will not be any rebuttals as this will be a forum to offer opinions good or bad on the qualities or subject of toning. The post doesn't have to be a certain length.....just looking for honest feedback on the subject. I will draw (1) name on Friday April 28th at 7:00pm and then announce the winner. The drawing is open to all forum members....even pharmer

Just kidding buddy....feel free to enter.

THE WINNER IS............michael

Thanks to everyone who entered...it took me 40 minutes just to cut up the little pieces of paper and write all the names down

michael....please send me you address and I will get the coin out in the Morning

Coin at an angle to show off the color a little better......

eyoung429 · April 23, 2006 11:57PM

I like toning on certain coins, such as early silver. There are numerous ways to distinguish between like coins in a collection but the toning will set them apart, not only as eye-candy but also as a way of being able to tell which coin is which when raw.

Cnitas · April 24, 2006 12:04AM

I love original 'crusty' toning. I do not like paying a premium for 'rainbow' toning because I believe the majority of rainbow toning is Artificial and I do not know enough about it to tell the difference.

JMHO.

edited cause I can't splel

Bochiman · April 24, 2006 12:12AM

What do I like about toning?
It is different for silver vs copper....

For silver, I like rainbow style toning....more than just a sliver though....something that dances in the light.

For copper, I like green, and some yell, and some blue maybe. I like seeing copper that puts out a POW!

Millertime · April 24, 2006 12:15AM

I've come to appreciate rainbow toning on Morgans however since the competition is so fierce I doubt that I will ever acquire many pieces.

Millertime

mhammerman · April 24, 2006 12:21AM

There are only a few types of toning that turn the wheel for me. Album toning, that nice glow around the edge of the coin, pulling at the devices and grading across the periperal fields until it meets original metal...yeah, that's nice. The other toning I like is from the coin just becoming old, like the wrinkles in an old man's face where it slowly weathers and responds to the environment, I notice this on old gold. I know this is a different kind of toning from silver, but it is very seductive. I also have to confess that the golden tone on the war nickels is pretty cool too but no body likes these too much, must be an acquired taste.

Congrats on 4,000 posts!!!

mgoodm3 · April 24, 2006 12:23AM

I like toning on copper or silver, but don't really go for the monsters. The nice part is that most brown proof copper has some color. I really like color on the frost.

Burks · April 24, 2006 12:29AM

The insane, hippy type toning on silver just doesn't do it for me. I like more of the darker blues, reds, browns, and golds. Toning just adds a bit of "character" to the coin the same way wear does.

CarlWohlforth · April 24, 2006 12:34AM

I like to see fabric toning on Morgan Dollars. It is incredible to me that those coins sat with the bag touching them and nothing disturbed them for so many years. No shifting of the bags, no earthquakes, nothing. Also some of the fabric toned Morgans have pretty colors.

50cents · April 24, 2006 12:37AM

Congrats on 4000 posts and thanks for the contest.

I like toning on coins because it makes every coin unique and different.

xphobe · April 24, 2006 12:47AM

I used to think of toning as a bad thing -- tarnish, oxidation, environmental damage... But toning, even crusty, indicates an unmessed-with coin, and that's good, as long as it isn't extreme (AT or corrosion).

And I heard something that made me feel better: if atoms of silver were removed from the coin, that would be damage. But toning actually adds something to the coin(O2, or SO4), so it's more than it was before!

Like you said, there's no right or wrong. I just like coins with a Story, and nice subtle natural toning adds to that Story.

Cheers!
Jim

solid · April 24, 2006 1:00AM

A nicely toned coin is one you can pull out and enjoy again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again...I think you get my point!

Ken

laserart · April 24, 2006 1:01AM

Naturally toned coins can be very pretty indeed, anything else is just rusty money.

Steve27 · April 24, 2006 1:05AM

"... dislike about toning on a coin"

Toning is a form of oxidation; thus, even though it might be pretty, it's actually a form of surface damage.

kryptonitecomics · April 24, 2006 1:19AM

Good responses so far folks....your candor is very much appreciated and as I mentioned......there are no right or wrong answers here....just a compilation of opinions.........

Crackout · April 24, 2006 1:27AM

For me, most toning adds eye appeal. But when the toning becomes too vibrant or dark and distracts from the coin's devices - then it is too much for me!

Sometimes subtle is better.

LALASD4 · April 24, 2006 1:32AM

I remember toned coins were worth much less than white coins in the past so I guess I still like nice original white coins better.

messydesk · April 24, 2006 1:42AM

I like toned coins, although the "monsters" are currently selling for stupid money as far as I'm concerned. The doctors will get better and better at duplicating these coins until such a point where all toned coins become suspect, although not until such time as said doctors have already cashed in on the current trend.

Mesquite · April 24, 2006 1:45AM

Blast white coins are great and, once you have an example of one, you have a great example of what coinage was like in the past. Toned coins are, on the other hand, unique. They reflect not only what the coinage looked like but also speak of storage conditions and the chemistry of the metal involved in coin manufacture. In addition, they tend to add unique character to an individual coin. There is nothing better than a well struck Morgan that has toned to a crescent rainbow, an evenly distibuted blue-green or red-yellow, or the multicolor of an endroll pattern.

jmj3esq · April 24, 2006 1:47AM

I love rainbow toning, not the dark almost dirty looking stuff. I do not like how toning often covers up blemishes and hairlines which I feel often leads to overgrading by the TPGs. I feel that sometimes as beautifully toned coin is overgraded because the grader cant seem to see past the toning. I like how NGC uses the "*" to designate a coin with superior eye appeal. PCGS should do the same. Overall im a blast white guy but can be turned on to nice toning.

drwstr123 · April 24, 2006 2:10AM

Congratulations!
I like natural coins; gold, silver. and copper. White, red or with color. Just let them be.

bhartman35 · April 24, 2006 2:18AM

<< <i>"... dislike about toning on a coin"

Toning is a form of oxidation; thus, even though it might be pretty, it's actually a form of surface damage. >>

That's what I always thought. I got castigated last time I said it, though.

DrWho · April 24, 2006 2:29AM

like toning on non mint states. like blast on mint states, with maybe a bit of color, maybe. when i acquire mint state, i like em blast, as they came off the press.

Louis · April 24, 2006 2:33AM

I like unusual toning.

bestclser1 · April 24, 2006 2:41AM

Shane,Great responses so far.I like the monster toned Morgans,along with the WOW PR IHCs the best.My first real deal toner.

thezookrew · April 24, 2006 2:43AM

I think some toning on a coin can make it look very beautiful, but when the toning takes away from the coin itself, I think it is guady. In other words, I like toning in moderation as long as the underlying coin can be appreciated and the coin isn't purchased just because it is a "monster toner".

1BigMo · April 24, 2006 2:53AM

I only want white or golden silver.
and my pennys red.

"Different Strokes for Different Folks"

...Tony...

jabba · April 24, 2006 3:31AM

I like the endroll tone Morgans but I dont collect them any more due to the insane mark up on toned coins.

airplanenut · April 24, 2006 3:34AM

Why do I like toning? Toning makes a coin unique--with millions of similar examples by date and type, a toned piece is set apart with a coloration pattern that matches none other. Plus, natural color attests to originality, something sadly lacking more and more each day in the numismatic world.

keez · April 24, 2006 3:38AM

I'm new to collecting and until I started reading and seeing posts and pics of toned coins, I had no inclination towards them. Now I see toning on a coin as part of its life story. Naturally-toned coins that have been toned in threir holders or place of storage are a unique display of nature's subtle art and handiwork.

Dollars · April 24, 2006 3:39AM

As someone already said, crusty toning is the best. I love when the blues around the rim make the coin look like a sun set on a fall day. No sun left just the deep blue of the night.

I have always loved this.

tggr · April 24, 2006 3:43AM

I do not own any toned coins.
If I were to purchase on I think it would have to be bright colors
in a target toned way.
Thanks Ray

thebestMAX · April 24, 2006 3:43AM

I am not a big fan of toning but some coins reach epic proportions. Some look great but others, bleh.

I love the orange color on gold coins but I dont think that is what you are talking about here.

dizzyfoxx · April 24, 2006 3:49AM

I have been a coin collector now for about a year and a half. When I began "the adventure" of actually spending money on nice coins, I knew I wanted to collect the early commemoratives. I went to the Santa Clara show (Mar. '05) with my Dad and I was basically looking for a nice white lustrous Antietam to kick off my collection. I saw a couple examples that I thought were nice but one dealer had an Antietam with some of the most amazing toning on it- it was oh so beautiful to look at, and after looking at it very carefully, something all of a sudden "kicked into gear" and I knew right then that I want these coins with toning.
Since that show, I have been fortunate to have developed strong relationships with some dealers and fellow collectors who have helped me slowly build my collection. The friends I have made, whether in person or via the telephone/emails, who share this incredible passion for these little treasures, have really proven to me just how tight-knitted this hobby really is.
Sure there are plenty of "spats" that take place on this forum... i.e. "That coin is AT!", and "that coin is dipped out", and "That coin is fugly, and this coin is way to expensive" etc. etc... but, the common denominator here is that we all love coins, period. Whether it's because of their beauty, rarity, history, etc., any given coin will mean something special to someone, regardless of its' "skin color", or lack thereof.

Heywood · April 24, 2006 3:50AM

I generally do not like toning enough to pay a hugh premium for it, But I did overpay for this a little, and it does look much better in hand.

I can not see paying extra for ugly brown toning that has a fingerprint in it

kryptonitecomics · April 24, 2006 3:51AM

<< <i>I love the orange color on gold coins but I dont think that is what you are talking about here. >>

It can be....gold coins with a nice original skin can and often do take on a nice orange appearance that is quite attractive.

BECOKA · April 24, 2006 3:56AM

Toning makes my low grade affordable collection worth looking at. I started off thinking I needed MS64+ to get a decent looking half eagle and found that with the right mixture of toning and dirt AU58-MS62 can look much better than a clean MS64+ example. This makes the hunt a little more fun since there are so many examples in my grade range to look at.

partagas · April 24, 2006 4:12AM

I like subtle toning that enhances the coins character. Mostly on common widget type coins. Like on a nice unc Standing liberty quarter.

MikeInFL · April 24, 2006 4:19AM

I only like original toning, and I am not, generally, a fan of album toning, particularly on coins that were dipped previously then retoned in an album...Mike

p.s. thanks for the chance!

TorinoCobra71 · April 24, 2006 4:21AM

I LOVE crescent rainbow toning on Morgan Silver Dollars!

TC71

lkenefic · April 24, 2006 4:21AM

Most all of my uncirculated Morgan and Peace dollars are blast white. I rather like the colors in the "rainbow" toning on the one uncirculated Morgan dollar I have that exhibits it (an 1884-O with significant reverse toning).... However, I avoid such toning on my coppers...go figure...

Leo

DickyBetz · April 24, 2006 4:52AM

Toned copper is the best!

Whit · April 24, 2006 4:55AM

I paraphrase myself from a much earlier thread:

Toning that is acquired over the life of a coin greatly enhances the coin's history and romance. It attests to the quiet, protected repose of the coin even as elections were held, wars were fought, and my grandfather was running the family farm throughout the 30's, 40's and 50's.

Brilliant coins haven't aged, but attractively toned coins ... coins with true, pastel rainbow toning .... have aged gracefully. As much as the coin's date, such toning says, "I am an elder among the many representatives of American history and commerce. I deserve respect."

Even after 45 years of studying and collecting uncirculated coinage, I am still amazed that uncirculated examples of, say, 1936 nickels and 1949 half dollars exist. Even more satisfying is that some of those coins have slowly acquired true visual emblems of their ages, much as wine may acquire a flavorful emblem of its age.

I can appreciate brilliant specimens as well, but AT leaves me utterly cold.

Whit

JJM · April 24, 2006 4:58AM

I like toners of all grades and levels of toning,...I especially like to look close with a glass and actually see the different colors layering on eachother, or the lines when the color progression actually changes

I consider some toners one of a kind pieces of natural art....

ddbird · April 24, 2006 5:01AM

Toning is great becuase it makes a coin unique.

Many times, morgans get boring becuase of their similar apperance. But toning is rarely identicle on coins. The color pattern is always different, and location, and shade.

Its like a good fingerprint...one thats makes every coin unique!

Craton · April 24, 2006 5:12AM

I love toned coins simply because they rock!
When you see a beautily toned coin and you feel a desire and an ache in your chest, you know that you have been bitten by the toned coin bug!

Barberman55 · April 24, 2006 5:15AM

Being a collector of Barber coins (quarters and halves), I love that darker 2 toned gray look that you see on nice, original, circulated Barber's. I love seeing the darker toning around the obverse stars, and then gradually getting lighter towards the center of the coin. Congrats on 4,000 posts.

paigowjohnny · April 24, 2006 5:25AM

I love big sweeping colorful crescents on the obverse of Morgan dollars. Besides being very attractive to me, I find it fascinating to think of the combination of time and other factors that resulted in it happening.

DocMortar · April 24, 2006 5:42AM

I like the chemistry behind toning. That is a fascinating subject.

gamr0n · April 24, 2006 5:51AM

I like toning that is smooth on a coin. It has to have a regular pattern, and must have some nice color. I dislike some of the monster toners which look like the color is random and looks gaudy rather than attractive. The best toning is rainbow target toning on any coin

gemstatecoins · April 24, 2006 6:02AM

I really like toned early commem's, or for that matter.. any early commem... but if toned it has to be attractive.

4,000 Posts Milestone....Toned Coin Giveaway WINNER ADDED!!!!

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