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 Replies: 58 / Views: 6,295 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
I ask this due to what seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding AT/NT which has been discussed here before. I personally love a nicely toned Morgan or any other silver for that matter. But it seems that the premiums on some of these "monster" type toned coins are a bit ridiculous (to each their own). Myself, I'll pay retail plus maybe 10% on a really nicely toned Morgan. I was watching art and coin tv with Barry Chappell (purely for entertainment value) He had some really nicely toned morgans up, first time I've seen him carry these types. He auctioned them off...common dates bringing upwards of 2k.
I guess my questions goes to the more experienced collectors who have been around the hobby longer than I have (5 years). Has there always been a fascination with attractively toned coins, or is this just another passing fad?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
AT coins are ruined forever, and some good numismatists/collectors can tell the difference through the progression and pattern of the colors. I like toned coins, but I don't make it my focus.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4911 Posts |
Toned Morgans bring high premiums because they are rare, most of them were dipped so a premium toned Morgan is a true rarity.
Feel free to call me Will.
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Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
I personally do not like toned coins because it makes details hard to see and is essentially tarnish.
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Pillar of the Community
968 Posts |
Fad? No way. I love my toners.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
I like attractively tones coins. I despise harlequin monster-toned coins. I guess I'm OCD about my coins having a pattern or symmetry.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
In my opinion, toning usually enhances eye appeal only if it's natural. Splotchy-rainbow-explosion-monster toning coins I'm not a fan of, because more often that not those are artificial anyway. Chasingtailbar's War Nickel is a good example of attractive natural toning. Edited by wheatchaser140
06/30/2014 2:17 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1370 Posts |
I agree that AT destroys a coin, That's not really what I was trying to get at. I love a nicely toned coin. I guess my question is, over the years has there always been such a premium on Naturally toned coins, or has this just been a recent occurrence. Another way to look at it, would one be best served buying a common date morgan that has that rare toning as seen on http://www.jhonecash.com/coins/tonedmorgans.asp or buying an 1893-S for the same amount of cash. Here's one of my toners, bought from Paleoguy :)  |
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Valued Member
United States
94 Posts |
I personally think artificially toned coins are in the same category as a cleaned coin. Someone has intentionally altered the appearance of the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
... and then my question is, how long will a coin hold a tone? Aren't they essentially corroding, ie., aren't we just seeing them as they march along a continuum from MS to dark? I'm fully aware that the naturally-toned Morgans are a hundred years old, so I'm not sure what to think. All that said, I really like the look of a naturally-toned Morgan and would like to have one, but at no more than a modest premium. I have a couple of mercs that have some pretty, subtle, rainbow toning, that I think came from being in a blue Whitman since 1978 or so. I like those and wonder how long they'll keep the tone or if they'll continue to "rainbow up" or just go dark.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
here's a good example of the final stage of toning....does hit that charcoal gunmetal appearance....I really like this reverse though... still has full luster  |
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Pillar of the Community
968 Posts |
Quote:
... and then my question is, how long will a coin hold a tone? Aren't they essentially corroding, ie., aren't we just seeing them as they march along a continuum from MS to dark? I'm fully aware that the naturally-toned Morgans are a hundred years old, so I'm not sure what to think. All that said, I really like the look of a naturally-toned Morgan and would like to have one, but at no more than a modest premium. I have a couple of mercs that have some pretty, subtle, rainbow toning, that I think came from being in a blue Whitman since 1978 or so. I like those and wonder how long they'll keep the tone or if they'll continue to "rainbow up" or just go dark. With proper storage, you should never have a toned coin turn on you. I've owned this Morgan for over a decade and it hasn't changed since they day I bought it;  Phil's pics don't do this one justice, I'm sad to say. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
I'm a fan of toned coins, be they artificially so or not, and I humbly acknowledge that there are times I can't tell the difference. There are even cleaned coins that I've found to have eye-appeal. Then too, as much as I cringe at the thought of damaging old coins, I've learned to love the counterstamps; this, whether toned or not!
Some years ago, I assembled a toned set of 20th century type coins in a Capital Plastic holder (23 coins). Some are proof coins, and all are high grade, AU or better. It's a colorfully fun set to show friends. Sadly, my marginal photographic skills could not do it justice herein.
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Valued Member
United States
453 Posts |
I would say not a fad but maybe a nitch market. Many other antique s are viewed similarly, real collectors want the original patina. I even read that when a hoard of old cars was found that a dealer had been sitting on since the 50s, basically new, some buyers planned to not even wash them.
I guess my point is that toning represents the history of a coin and each is unique so I get why they command a premium.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
 This debate is intriguing. Edited by bpoc1
06/30/2014 4:54 pm
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Valued Member
440 Posts |
I prefer a coin with some natural toning vs a blast white dipped coin. Another way to look at this is that tasteful natural toning produces a truly one of a kind coin.
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Replies: 58 / Views: 6,295 |
Posted 06/30/2014 1:59 pm
