Coin Community Family of Web Sites Live Coin auctions starting as low as $1
Like us on Facebook! Subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Check out our Twitter! Check out our Pinterest!
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.
Welcome Guest! Need help? Got a question? Inherit some coins?
Our coin forum is completely free! Register Now!

Question On Grading Darkened Coins

 
To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Previous TopicReplies: 9 / Views: 789Next Topic  
Valued Member
United States
310 Posts
 Posted 03/24/2023  11:09 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add SaturnD51 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message
I have noticed sometimes there are coins which were graded high on the ms scale and they had no gloss. I was wondering if these two coins were candidates? One is a 1942 Mercury dime and other is a 1961 Canadian 50 cent piece. I know the pictures are crap but you get the idea. I know you have seen these coins like this in auctions and I always wondered why. Do some of them really grade high even though they look like this?





Pillar of the Community
Canada
4720 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  03:09 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add oriole to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Since grade is supposed to be based on the amount of wear, and toning does not cause wear, heavily toned coins can easily grade high. How the toning affects the price is a different question.
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
20941 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  08:05 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add sel_69l to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I am not keen on heavy (especially blotchy) toned coins in AU or better condition.
Such toning can make it much harder to find very fine hairline scratches, when grading for yourself, using on screen pictures..
That makes it harder for the eBay seller, unless the coin is slabbed.

These pics a case in point.
Bedrock of the Community
Learn More...
United States
78220 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  08:53 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinfrog to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@oriole calls it.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14508 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  09:32 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add panzaldi to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
i'll add that having the coin in hand helps as you can rotate the coin without the glare of lighting. it takes a lot of practice to be able to see through the toning to attempt to determine what the actual surfaces look like and if any luster remains. sometimes the toning is so heavy it pretty much impossible. the reverse of the mercury is pretty heavy and probably would be just a guess determining these surfaces. there may be luster under all of that. looks like there may be some luster on the obv but again it could be light glare. the high point of the devices are saying high AU or MS but this is coin you need to assess in hand. other than that oriole and sel_69l called it. personally I dont like toned coins as many end up like these over time. toning progresses over time and the way a coin is stored affects the progression. my guess is this coin was improperly stored for years most likely in a more humid environment.
Valued Member
United States
310 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  09:40 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SaturnD51 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I my self was just wondering if they are worth grading. I would not buy a darkened coin because I like the luster. If there was a mild toning I guess that would be o.k. While looking at the dime I saw about three very light hairline scratches. I guess if it went to grading they would find a lot more. The reverse of the dime I really could not see any hair lines but noticed they probably wouldn't give a full bands because the horizontal bands are not full. I am so not into grading.hmm
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14508 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  11:29 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add panzaldi to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I my self was just wondering if they are worth grading


there are 2 reasons to grade a coin

1. you have a rarer coin that needs authentication and preserved
2. you have a coin valued at $150 or more and you are planning on selling it

you have neither with the dime. I have no idea what 50c piece is worth the 42 is common coin with a mintage over 205mm an is worth a couple dollars.

it doesn't make sense unless a coin is worth $150 or more. most seasoned collectors dont even slab their coins due to the cost. you could expect to spend about $22 plus shipping/insurance per coin each way plus a subscription to a grading service. PCGS charges a minimum of $69 for a subscription. so you can see it really is not worth grading any average coin


Pillar of the Community
United States
2346 Posts
 Posted 03/25/2023  1:08 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add dsking to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
If this were a 1942/1 then grading could be an option. While the design remains quite detailed, the toning just isn't appealing (to me).

Panzaldi explains your options very well. I would go with that.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
18676 Posts
 Posted 03/26/2023  12:50 am  Show Profile   Check BadThad's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add BadThad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Looks like normal silver toning but fairly advanced. Some collectors like toned coins and some don't. No matter what - a coin is what it is.
Lincoln Cent Lover!
Bedrock of the Community
United States
18676 Posts
 Posted 03/26/2023  12:53 am  Show Profile   Check BadThad's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add BadThad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
it takes a lot of practice to be able to see through the toning to attempt to determine what the actual surfaces look like and if any luster remains. sometimes the toning is so heavy it pretty much impossible.


Exactly. The reason you can't see the luster after a certain point is that it's gone. The micro-flowlines are the first thing to get oxidized and that's where the luster really is.
Lincoln Cent Lover!
Edited by BadThad
03/26/2023 12:53 am
  Previous TopicReplies: 9 / Views: 789Next Topic  
 
To participate in the forum you must log in or register.





Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2023 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us  |  Advertise Here  |  Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum © 2005 - 2023 Coin Community Forums
It took 0.3 seconds to rattle this change. Powered By: