Eye Candy Corner: Post Your Toned Coins!

That 1866 Maundy 2d is a Stunner and should grade at a minimum of PL64 and most probably higher.
I have dozens of Maundy coins and the majority of mine are nicely toned because I prefer them that way
The underlying luster on these coins is extremely difficult to image but on the high grade coins the luster is "Smoking".

That 1880 penny in twslisa's link is an AT horror

Not necessarily true!

I have found personally that accustomizing yourself to the in-hand look of natural toning can be very, very valuable. I have also found that comparing images can be very helpful, as well; most of all, though, understanding the phenomena of toning and the range of colors that occur specific to certain dates and varieties is key. With that understanding, one tends to acquire a certain "eye" for how certain coins likely gain certain colors: toning resulting from improper cleaning, or color resulting from PVC residue, or especially intentional toning. As you start to acquire "The Eye," then your personal taste develops.

And it is a personal taste. For example, I don't really prefer the colors that draw so many collectors to the neon Morgan "monsters." But I do love certain boldly toned coins and colors, when they appeal to me. I am a succor for naturally toned copper the most, and especially woodgrains. But many, many collectors are repulsed by woodgrains. All of that is okay. The best type of toning, I think, is that subtle complex depth that develops on an untouched centuries-old coin.

there is a great link I have been studying about thin-film interference and Doug Kurz (Sunnywood's) Color Classification system for toned Morgans that I find very educational. I don't know if I it is appropriate to link here, though, but if it is I will later.

Jhon E. Cash's excellent page on monster toners had a link to the Kurz article. Excellent info. I have since discovered that PD's and other coins tone a bit differently. PD's very rarely tone in rainbow colors, and when they do, the spectrum is different, for example. I recently saw a graded PD with colors VERY similar to the Maundy--bright blue resolving to red/brown. Based on the Cash site, I've been watching for things like pullaway and what the colors do at different elevations, although I've noticed that toning is more likely to flow evenly over the letters on PD's, probably because they don't have the sharp edges you see on Morgan's.

Agree that seeing them in hand is the best way to get the eye. I still think quite a lot of Jhon E. Cash's toners look fake (I have to believe the photography is color-enhanced, at the very least). To that end I've been spending quite a bit of time watching auctions and visiting dealers, where I ask if they have toners--I've discovered many times they keep their best ones behind the counter for folks like me who ask, probably because they know we'll pay a bit of a premium. I also discovered one old-school dealer who shuddered in horror and told me he dipped them because his customers prefer blast white. I gave him my number and told him to call me first!! Since he considers them unsightly I'm hoping he won't add the same premiums other dealers do. We can split the difference!

With many naturally toned coins there is a "Mother of Pearl" effect on the surface of the coin.
When the coin is held at different angles to the light the colors change.
With AT coins the luster is usually dulled and the colors sometimes have a Matte look about them.

WOW.
That is very , very nice

Very nice!! Here's a Canadian coin with similar toning

I am amazed at the gorgeous toning on so many of the Canadian silver coins posted on this thread.

They are a joy to behold!