I wish I knew. For reasons unknown to me, 1961 is a banner year for wildly toned Lincoln Proofs. I have 17 from 1961. So far 11 have passed PCGS standards and have been graded, 3 are already graded and waiting to be sent in for TrueViews and 3 others (including this one) are waiting to be graded.
I just wish I could get in on some of those toned '61s without breaking the bank. Apparently some amazing deals have been found on ebay with some of those recently. Admittedly I posted these (and more) in the recent purchases thread when I started my Rosie collection, but some of the toning was too nice to keep out of this thread. I couldn't pass this one up, one of the keys to the set:
The same with 1970 Lincoln Proofs. The '70 proofs were known to have vivid target rainbow toning while the '61s were known to have wild and variant color. The general consensus is that there were trace impurities during the minting process; causing the deep/wild toning to occur. BTW, your coin looks stunning! Assuming it doesn't get BB'd, I'd like to see how PCGS TrueViews that one.
Since I just sent a submission to PCGS a couple of days before this one arrived, I probably won't get it sent in until next month. Success or not, I will post the results here.
Just picked up three toned Lincoln proofs off of eBay from Bahabully for 1 cent each. A 1961, 63 and a 64 also picked up a 1958 toned wheat back proof for 90 cents plus all shipped for 2.95. Will post some pics later.
I would be really skeptical buying from him cause some of those coins look incredibly AT. I would be hard pressed to say real or fake (leaning toward real) on the ones you bought though. I just wouldn't know enough about toned cents to know any better.
Here's what it looks like at most angles. Here's what it looks like at some others (for some reason all of the photos that capture the toning are out of focus)
Yes, I agree. They all look AT to me and would pass. This seller appears to be ATing all of his coins. Good luck I think you'll need it....
You'll like them Gonzo (I think), the 58's toning didn't look right to me.. but I've seen wilder in plastic.. let us know what you think when you get em'. Badness... Yep, we collectors always carry some ky when it comes time to sell a few... part of the game. As for AT or NT.. I have a shoe box full of these. They are quite common, as you probably know. Just like the 56, 57, 58's that are common with deep toning from mint sets and old books. Amazing what storing coins in your garage will do to them. Some turn into junk, some into little beauties. some get bagged, others don't.... also part of the game.
Well said. I have some that I am just not sure about...Although not proofs. I am sure that I like them though.
did you see Shane's 53 Franky toner proof this past weekend. Went hammer and nail after it in the last seconds and lost (your welcome Krypto .. geez ! Was (is) a beauty. http://www.ebay.com/itm/221059979859?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649