How much of a premium should you pay for rainbow toned Morgans?

Tom B · Apr 4, 2014

Many long time members know that I simply adore toned coins. I only own one non-bullion Morgan dollar and it is one of my "Box of 20" coins. It is merely an 1881-S MS64, but I have turned down a $1,000 offer for it.

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Mainebill · Apr 4, 2014

Tom B said: ↑

Many long time members know that I simply adore toned coins. I only own one non-bullion Morgan dollar and it is one of my "Box of 20" coins. It is merely an 1881-S MS64, but I have turned down a $1,000 offer for it.

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I don't blame you Tom that's a beauty I'd be proud to own too!! I love it!!

Mainebill · Apr 4, 2014

My vote for prettiest toned Morgan still goes to jpcienkus avatar coin tho that's a stunner and I think its a ms 67!! Toms is right up there tho

Lehigh96 · Apr 4, 2014

I recall having this discussion shortly after joining this forum. Some of the photos are missing but it is still a good read. Check it out.

Rainbow Toning's effect on price

Savy · Apr 5, 2014

gbroke said: ↑

Yes I imaged them.
I suggest you start by searching this forum. There has been plenty of discussion and information about coin photography.

Try searching the forum (titles only) for phrases like:
coin photography

I bought Mark Goodman's book when I started imaging.
Here are some good online articles from him.
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Thanks for your help! I just purchased a Copying Stand off of eBay and once I receive that I will set everything up and start taking pictures. Which photo editing software did you use to crop the pictures?

GDJMSP · Apr 5, 2014

Savy -

I think there is something else you should consider, there is toning, and then there is toning. Toning can vary greatly, in it's early stages most would not even recognize that there was any toning present at all. Many, even most, coins that are called "blast white" really aren't blast white, they are toned. But only slightly toned so the toning is not easily recognized as being present. But with time toning progresses, it is inevitable and cannot be stopped. But with proper storage it can be greatly slowed down.

That said, in the beginning toning is monochromatic but as toning progresses it also becomes more and more visible, easier to see the colors. But at some point that process reverses and the colors become harder and harder to see. That is because as the toning grows thicker it becomes more monochromatic, and when that happens, just like in the beginning, it is usually very hard to capture the colors with a picture.

The point I am trying to get to is this, the coin you pictured, yes it shows color because the picture was taken to show that color. But if you were to look at that coin hand unless you turned it just right to catch the light the toned areas for the most part would appear to be almost black, certainly very dark.

That coin was photographed in order to show it in "its best light", to make it more attractive if you will and thus easier to sell. This is not unusual, almost everyone who takes pictures of their coins does their best to show the coin in its best light. To make the coin as attractive to viewers as possible, even when they are not selling the coin. This is completely natural and to be expected, I do, or used to do the same thing.

Now people who are experienced with toning will look at your picture and they will already know what I have said. But if you don't have that experience you probably won't know it. So anybody who would buy that coin because it looks colorful in the picture is more than likely to be disappointed when they get the coin in hand because it is going to look, for the most part, just black. Yes, the color you see in the pics will be there, but only when you turn it just so.

So if you are looking to buy a coin with pretty color, that coin is not really a good choice for the reasons I have explained. And, because it is also approaching its terminal stage.

Morgandude11 · Apr 5, 2014

GDJMSP said: ↑

Savy -

I think there is something else you should consider, there is toning, and then there is toning. Toning can vary greatly, in it's early stages most would not even recognize that there was any toning present at all. Many, even most, coins that are called "blast white" really aren't blast white, they are toned. But only slightly toned so the toning is not easily recognized as being present. But with time toning progresses, it is inevitable and cannot be stopped. But with proper storage it can be greatly slowed down.

That said, in the beginning toning is monochromatic but as toning progresses it also becomes more and more visible, easier to see the colors. But at some point that process reverses and the colors become harder and harder to see. That is because as the toning grows thicker it becomes more monochromatic, and when that happens, just like in the beginning, it is usually very hard to capture the colors with a picture.

The point I am trying to get to is this, the coin you pictured, yes it shows color because the picture was taken to show that color. But if you were to look at that coin hand unless you turned it just right to catch the light the toned areas for the most part would appear to be almost black, certainly very dark.

That coin was photographed in order to show it in "its best light", to make it more attractive if you will and thus easier to sell. This is not unusual, almost everyone who takes pictures of their coins does their best to show the coin in its best light. To make the coin as attractive to viewers as possible, even when they are not selling the coin. This is completely natural and to be expected, I do, or used to do the same thing.

Now people who are experienced with toning will look at your picture and they will already know what I have said. But if you don't have that experience you probably won't know it. So anybody who would buy that coin because it looks colorful in the picture is more than likely to be disappointed when they get the coin in hand because it is going to look, for the most part, just black. Yes, the color you see in the pics will be there, but only when you turn it just so.

So if you are looking to buy a coin with pretty color, that coin is not really a good choice for the reasons I have explained. And, because it is also approaching its terminal stage.
Click to expand...

Coins that are black are definitely end stage toning, and headed for damage. However, not all rainbow coins are in any way damaged--it is just showing a chemical reaction--nothing more, nothing less. Once again, it totally depends upon the toning. I agree that the black toning is not only very unattractive, but shows a coin headed for devaluation.

Mainebill · Apr 5, 2014

Savy said: ↑

I see. I really want to buy a coin, but I don't know what to pay for it. Can you give me an idea of what a fair price for this would be? I understand that it is a very hard question to answer, but maybe you could give an approximate value, so I don't completely over pay for it?
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Doug's right it's toned but not pretty toning my advice save your money for something better. I buy a lot of pretty toned Morgans graded and slabbed in the $100-200 range. Granted the real spectacular ones I posted were quite a bit more but you can do better then this one

Mainebill · Apr 5, 2014

Morgandude11 said: ↑

Coins that are black are definitely end stage toning, and headed for damage. However, not all rainbow coins are in any way damaged--it is just showing a chemical reaction--nothing more, nothing less. Once again, it totally depends upon the toning. I agree that the black toning is not only very unattractive, but shows a coin headed for devaluation.
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In my opinion a black coin needs cleaning or conservation properly done by a professional! I noticed in the last few months ha running a bunch of proof seated coins that were pretty much black they must have all came from the same collection. I thought they looked awful!! So did everyone else as nobody bid. So take these guys advice and avoid the black or excessively dark ones

Savy · Apr 5, 2014

GDJMSP said: ↑

Savy -

I think there is something else you should consider, there is toning, and then there is toning. Toning can vary greatly, in it's early stages most would not even recognize that there was any toning present at all. Many, even most, coins that are called "blast white" really aren't blast white, they are toned. But only slightly toned so the toning is not easily recognized as being present. But with time toning progresses, it is inevitable and cannot be stopped. But with proper storage it can be greatly slowed down.

That said, in the beginning toning is monochromatic but as toning progresses it also becomes more and more visible, easier to see the colors. But at some point that process reverses and the colors become harder and harder to see. That is because as the toning grows thicker it becomes more monochromatic, and when that happens, just like in the beginning, it is usually very hard to capture the colors with a picture.

The point I am trying to get to is this, the coin you pictured, yes it shows color because the picture was taken to show that color. But if you were to look at that coin hand unless you turned it just right to catch the light the toned areas for the most part would appear to be almost black, certainly very dark.

That coin was photographed in order to show it in "its best light", to make it more attractive if you will and thus easier to sell. This is not unusual, almost everyone who takes pictures of their coins does their best to show the coin in its best light. To make the coin as attractive to viewers as possible, even when they are not selling the coin. This is completely natural and to be expected, I do, or used to do the same thing.

Now people who are experienced with toning will look at your picture and they will already know what I have said. But if you don't have that experience you probably won't know it. So anybody who would buy that coin because it looks colorful in the picture is more than likely to be disappointed when they get the coin in hand because it is going to look, for the most part, just black. Yes, the color you see in the pics will be there, but only when you turn it just so.

So if you are looking to buy a coin with pretty color, that coin is not really a good choice for the reasons I have explained. And, because it is also approaching its terminal stage.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I will definitely avoid this auction. You saved me a great deal of money

Tom B · Apr 5, 2014

I'm going to agree and disagree with GDJMSP on this one. I agree that the image was taken to make the coin as good as the seller could manage and also agree that the reverse toning is going to be dark, but in my opinion this coin will be quite attractive and much of that has to do with my preference for deeply toned Morgan dollars where the toning is in the purple spectrum of color. Simply a personal preference on my part.

GDJMSP · Apr 5, 2014

Good thing ya told us Tom. We never woulda known from lookin at your avatar

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How much of a premium should you pay for rainbow toned Morgans?

Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

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Mainebill Bethany Danielle

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Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

Savy Well-Known Member

GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Savy Well-Known Member

Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

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How much of a premium should you pay for rainbow toned Morgans?

Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

Guest User Guest

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

Savy Well-Known Member

GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Mainebill Bethany Danielle

Savy Well-Known Member

Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

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