As much as I see rainbow toned coins sell for on eBay, we should all look through the local coin shops dollars, halves, etc looking for "monster toned" coins. I've see a $50 top morgan bring over $200 just because it had a rainbow tone.
What makes you think that most Coin Shops don't also have eBay accounts? What makes you think that Coin Dealers in Coin Shops don't know that rainbow toners bring premiums? Why are you using the term "We"?
They are expensive in coin shops too. Naturally rainbow toned coins carry a huge premium. A $50 Morgan with beautiful natural rainbow toning is worth the $200 on today's market. Now, you have to be very careful because...with this huge toning craze many of the "monster toned" coins you see on eBay are artificially toned and are considered damaged by collectors. There really isn't a quick way to make a big profit on coins...unfortunately.
And to hijack the thread for a second, how do they artificially tone the coins. (Not that I want to use this method, just curious how it's done.)
Toned coins will add a premium to the price depending on how toned the coin really is. Some people like it some don't. Collectors (like me) wouldn't mind paying a bit extra for a toned coin with nice eye appeal. And some collectors stay away from them like the plague. Store owners and dealers all know this. The only toned coins you will find for cheap are low grade ones.
I've been working in a pawnshop and handle all of the coins/eBay. I seperate the toned coins and everything will eventually make it to eBay. We have to maximize profits (within reason..Buyers dictate the market). I am selling regular rossies for about 1.75 and have seen some monster toned go for as much as 20 dollars. The sad thing is I have to crack open these rolls from the 1960's because of the toned premium.
There are many ways...but I'm not an expert. I know there are some chemicals that can be used and heat can also be used as part of the process.
Ah, ok. Figured it would be some type of chemical solution and the heat part is interesting but makes sense. I've seen an ebay seller selling monster toned state quarters and asking about $40-45 a piece for them. I knew they were artificial but wondered how he/she did it.
How many can I buy, given that melt on them is currently $2.30, and they're consistently getting that or more on eBay (which, after fees on a reasonable lot size, would give me about $2.00 each)?
Well, there is -- take unfair advantage of people who know less than you. Bonus points, OP, when you realize that most dealers (and many folks on eBay) know more than you.
Lots of ways. Lots of bad ways, (easy to see they are AT), and a couple of "good" ways that most would never be able to know. AT used to be used to hide defects on a coins surface, so it wasn't used to create a premium but to hide a problem coin. However, the same methodology used on nice surface coins creates very pretty toning that really cannot be differentiated from natural.
Hmm, interesting. That I've heard of. Just figured that would take a while compared to other methods.
I guess I'm not normal, I tend to avoid rainbow and toned coins in general. I like them blast white like they just came off the mint press or dirty and worn, like they're carrying a story with them.
The rainbow coins defintely go for big $$$. The local coins shop search seems like a good idea. I also heard tobacco smoke direct towards silver coins can change the coloring, but I have never tried this. ALso heard to stuff the coin in potato w/ some olive oil & bake it the over for 30-45 mins, never done this either, but interesting.
A good place to look for toned coins are in the old mint sets that contain any silver coins (1956-1970). Dealers do not typically have the time to keep checking these sets so you may pick up a nice toned coin with little or no premium above what the set is selling for at that time. TC
