What Would You Think If I...

This is what happens when you do a poll; you get opinions! I think the discussion is great, gotta love the passion, either way...

I admit that when I came back into the hobby after many years I was surprised to find collectors putting more value on tones coins. years ago I was around laundromat change a not. It was not uncommon to find toned coins in this business (heat - dryers). To me, therefore, the off-coloring was not even something I deemed attractive. I just never thought of it that way since it was simply an alteration from a shiny, "perfect" looking coin.

I remember keeping a few just as novelty items, but since I had seen artificial means of changing their colors, I never had thought of putting a premium price on them.

I have a feeling the toned coins might be something future collectors may look back on and frown. It used to be the "right" thing to do to clean coins and now we deem this as the ultimate bad. I personally see altering a coin by cleaning or altering one by toning as different types of the same thing. Both types of alteration are done to make a coin "look" nicer from direct manipulation.

Natural tarnish can be beautiful, but I have to wonder if the coin collectors of the future will not go back to prizing coins with original, uncolored luster as most desirable b/c this was the way the coin emerged when first made. They might see a coin that was kept in the best possible way as to keep it from becoming discolored (no matter how pretty) as the most "perfect" example.

I had a friend who sold coins at the flea market. People would always bring in altered coins. two headed quarters etc. They thought they had a rare coin until he told them they were worth face value. I see nothing wrong if you want to have some fun AT some coins.

I'm also going to say no, to a certain degree. If you want to experiment with a few, I see no problem with that. Run a controlled experiment with 10 at different temps, distance and or time. Something like this. Then post the results. Then you can say it was in the name of science lol. But I wouldn't even go as far as doing a full roll. Just something pulling at my numismatic strings makes it feel uncomfortable with me. The underlying goal of most is to preserve. To blatantly destroy this goal, seems a little irresponsible, and reckless. Save the deception for the bad guys. Theirs enough of them. And please don't take any of this the wrong way. Its a very good topic, thank you for starting it.

This would be the same as a photographer taking a picture, using some computer program to enhance or doctor the photo, and then passing it off as original. Its just not right or ethical IMO.

Good thoughts, makes me think about it too now what ya'll said.

I must admit I would love to tone a ton but I am worried about the bank thinking they were counterfiet or something. Maybe I'll just tone a few and see how they look. I'm not looking to make any profit or anything, just have some fun.

I think you should send me some free maple syrup

The controversy is delicious.