Is a toned note more or less valuable?

Hi

I have a 1922 Hilligas gold note, recently graded at VF 30 Toned. Question is whether toning adds or detracts from value, or makes no difference? Thanks

hokie3

 

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Can you post a picture? I was not aware that the TPG services made a notation for toning on a note.

 

Toning?

Deterioration or staining or just plain dirt would be my guess.

 

i have never heard of toning on a note either. lol is that the next big fad. splash some color on a dollar bill and call it toned. now do we have to worry if its AT or NT

 

It will detract from a banknote's value. "Original" looking paper is what folks want.

Dave

 

I have photoed the notes and will try to attach them. No dye has been applied!

hokie3

 

What do you think now?

hokie3

 

I think that Dave nailed it, I also think CGA should not use such terms for paper. Terms that describe good paper quality (like EPQ) are better for the collector community IMO.

 

Thanks for the info. Anyone else have another opinion?

hokie3

 

Most, if not all paper becomes off-color with age due to less than optimal environments such as oxygen, chemical vapors, UV light (fluorescent light is BAD), and humidity. It's possible these "toned" notes were kept in a book made of paper that is not acid free or other similar environment that altered the original color of the paper. I would pay less for a discolored or "toned" note. I agree that "toned" should not be used as a descriptor but "yellowed" or "discolored" sound so bad. Perhaps "aged" or "matured" might be better. IDK

 

Thanks for the info. Now we'll see what e bay says.

hokie3

 

I believe the correct term is "foxing" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxing

 

It's really disappointing to see this kind of designation. It infers that this is a desirable type of condition which in my opinion it is not. I've collected books in the past and old books that would have "toned" pages indicated deterioration and certainly did not make them more valuable.

I'm sure that if you put it up on auction, someone without experience in banknote collecting will probably pay a premium for this.

I'd be curious to see what designation another grading company would give this note.

 

I agree. To me its just like coins. Original surface, original color is what should be preferred. "Toning" or "aging" on paper and coins, while natural and hard to stop, is NOT the best preservation possible. I imagine on paper bills its possible to "reverse" toning like it is coins, but the item will never be the same. To me, the order of preference should be:

1. Original color
2. "toned" or "aged" but original
3. "dipped" or "bleached"

Just like coins, there is nothing wrong with collecting category 2, I would just find it sad if in notes they start prefering category 2 over category 1 like some coin collectors seem to prefer nowadays.

Chris

 

I do like some toned coins. Many can be quite beautiful. "Toned" bills are another thing. I like the paper to be as original looking as the day it was printed. I suppose that if somehow a bill had a particular hue that seemed desirable to an individual they might be inclined to pay a premium but more likely most would discount a "toned" bill.

 

After looking at you photos, as to toned currency. Would it not be called "Foxing" of the paper? Is it not a change of color of the paper? Foxing: Is a mold resulting from the interaction of the sulfur content within the paper and environmental conditions. It appears as a rust or yellow rust stain on the note. How can a certification company call a note "Toned".
Also, our currency is not really paper. It's a made rags. Most of the very old books, did not have much deterioration from acid, like the newer papers of today, you now have mostly acid free paper now in books, but newspaper paper is highly acid. What do you think? Just my two cents worth. -O):rollling::rollling:

 

I'm going to have to agree with the previous posts here and add just a little bit. The term toning only applies to coins and from my understanding, happens when the base material of the coin begins to break down on a molecular level. When you see toned silver coins, basically you are seeing the reaction of the silver being tarnished/broken down by some foreign subsatance.

Paper does not tone in this way, but can become discolored, have foxing, or become brittle, all from contaminants. It is a shame that the TPG had put a label stating "toned" as this is not something that is attributable to paper currency. This alone makes me wonder whether the TPG is even experienced in the hobby as this is a grave error in my opinion.

 

I understood it was different methodologies sir, my only point in the analogy was that both toning and darkening of paper can happen, and both should be considered inferior to pristine condition, but be preferential to "salvaged" (by either dipping or bleaching).

 

Agreed! I thought I would just add a little more information about the two. Overall, completely agree with the statements about it being inferior.

 

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