Quote:
This is PCGS Questionable Color. Does that mean they really aren't sure if the toning is legit or is there way of saying it is not legit.
From the description on the PCGS web site, a coin receives a "Questionable Color" designation when PCGS graders believe it is likely that the tone on a coin has been "...added, enhanced or accelerated by artificial means..."
It's difficult to say from images vs. having the coin in hand, but the "electric blue" seen on the coin could be a sign of artificial manipulation. It would certainly be something I would think twice about if I were looking at a raw coin.
Also, it's interesting to see that the coin is essentially free of toning at its rim and the coloring is mostly confined to the coin's center. Many times silver coins get their toning from being stored long-term in a coin album that had a high sulfur content in its cardboard pages - such toning regularly starts at the rim and works its way toward the center.
Just my thoughts from looking at the images...
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Posted 01/14/2014 9:14 pm
