1878 S Toning

Toning is genuine. And in my opinion, VERY nice. I love the frost whit and how it is exaggerated by the darker peripheral toning. Just a beautiful strike that got all of those breast feathers in. MMMMM. Delicious. Luster is impaired by the toning, witch looks like the very outside turned into tarnish, a few field scratches and very few cheek hits,
AU58+ Looks like someone took this beauty out of circulation very shorty after being put into circulation, put it in their pocket with a few other denomination coins, walked a mile or so home, put it in their collection, and now it is yours.

My grade for it is AU58+

That toning is ugly. I would bet good money that it impairs the luster as well.

I am just being honest about my feelings on the coin in question and really, any coin somebody posts here for criticism.

Here is a good video from PCGS that goes over eye appeal and how toning impairs grade.



I am guessing you feel that I am pessimistic because I am not a fan of your 1928 Peace dollar. I am sorry you do not agree with me, but please do not single me out just because you disagree with my opinion.

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I decided to pass, ill wait until I have better knowledge of toning and its effects on price,etc.

honestly to me this coin looks like a strong MS to me, the hair directly above the ear is usually the first place to see wear and its almost flawless, also the leaves are known for weak strike or a wilted look I guess. where they look rubbed almost. even in MS63 coins they don't have hair that strong above the ear and leaves that show almost no rub or weakness. on the reverse there is a slight run on the breast but I don't see where AU is coming from. if someone could go into further detail when they have a few mins, I would greatly appreciate it. this would be a great learning experience for me.

This is the most important takeaway IMO. Recognizing a coin that has "toned" in a direction where environmental damage is the only future outcome should it not be preserved as-is.

Toning can best be explained via its true scientific definition, Thin Film Interference. I'd suggest a few minutes perusing the ol' www to study and learn.

Advanced silver coin collectors, for the most part, look for toned coins at the higher grade levels because an eye has been developed to spot what is unique and attractive versus just plain old blast white as well as what is darkened/darkening towards a terminal state.

I'm on the fence about the toning. It had to have happened quickly to reach terminal on the outside without the center being affected. Although the speed of the toning isn't objectionable given the sulfur-laden atmosphere of the times, even in San Francisco (the place was rockin' in that era), I have to wonder what stopped it. Perhaps a trip overseas as bullion?

Point being, you could do something very similar today to hide some sort of doctoring, just as easily. I approach the AT/NT decision as if I were a TPG - pretty pessimistically. Guilty, so prove me wrong.

This one's probably original, but I think it's been handled enough to call it circulated per the same reasoning as dave700x.

with both daves on this one. Too many questions, not enough eye appeal. I do like the way the terminal dark peripheral makes frosty liberty jump off the coin though but it's not enough for me to like it overall unless I won it or it was given to me. Plus the fingerprint and halo effect on the reverse

I think it's beautiful