Fake Rainbow Toned Coins - Artificial Colors

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by JimMayor007, Sep 5, 2007.

  1. mrh757

    mrh757 Senior Member

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  3. The_Cave_Troll

    The_Cave_Troll The Coin Troll


    Absolutely!

    Here is an example of the aftermath after a prominant poster on the PCGS board was caught buying a coin from a Heritage auction then AT'ing it in its holder and then selling it on eBay one month later. This is just his apology thread, I think the initial expose thread eventually was removed:

    http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=535409&highlight_key=y

    Fortunately they weren't particularly dangerous coins as the toning look a little off.
     
  4. The_Cave_Troll

    The_Cave_Troll The Coin Troll

    lol, he is quite good though!
     
  5. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    WOW could read that one all night...I think I will
     
  6. toddestan

    toddestan New Member

    Wouldn't a quick dip restore any AT silver coin back to blast white? Not that I like dipped coins either, but give it a few decades and you might get a nice patina back.
     
  7. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    Once a coin is AT'd, it's downhill from there. Dipping will only decrease luster and tend to dull it. I guess it would depend on variables, every situation is different. AT and dipping = downhill.

    IMO
     
  8. louisstraub

    louisstraub New Member

    I buy most of my coins from Heritage Acution. I have seen at least 5 coins at auction graded by ANACS with a grade but with the caveat on the lable that the coin is "Artificially Toned". You can register for free at Heritage and then search their archives. Use "Artificially Toned" as the search criteria and you'll see for yourself.
     
  9. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    :thumb: That's a GREAT suggestion. :thumb:
     
  10. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    I agree...excellent Idea
     
  11. FreakyGarrettC

    FreakyGarrettC Wise young snail

    Dandruff shampoo is a tool of the trade. It will make it look like that AE if you let it soak for 1-3 days. DONT DO IT!
     
  12. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    I just dislike the bright rainbow colors anyway...I certainly wouldnt pay a premium, nor would I even think of buying one of those god awful bright tie dye looking coins. I have several toned coins but they toned over a long period and the color can barely be seen unless you hold the coin at an angle. I think the problem started in earnest when people started paying more for one of these monstrosities.

    I also agree that in many cases, nobody will be able to confirm or deny fake tone if it is done right...
     
  13. Good Thread to bring up to the top!
     
  14. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    Good Advice! I also buy most of my coins on Heritage and this is a very nice tool. Here is an AT Peace Dollar that I purchased (very cheaply) in an ICG holder marked AT.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    IMO, the only real way to determine the difference between AT & NT is to view thousands of coins from that particular series. And even then, as Doug points out, you can't always be sure. Searching the Heritage auction archives for toned coins is an inexpensive way to obtain this education even if it is only from photos.
     
  15. MK COINS

    MK COINS New Member

    applying heat and chemicals in the right proportions you can recreate the sunny woods collection
     
  16. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    While that statement might be technically accurate, there is not a coin doctor in the world with the skill and courage needed to accomplish that feat. Put simply, coin doctors are not going to attempt to tone MS67 and MS68 Morgan Dollars. The risk of ruining the coin's value is much greater than the chance that you would end up with this.

    [​IMG]

    In my experience, most coin doctors apply their trade to common inexpensive coins in an attempt to greatly increase the value of the coin either by hiding defects or generating exceptional eye appealing toning.
     
  17. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    I would agree, generally, with the above. However, if there's money to be made, the docs will try it. To wit, I've seen $50 coins and $50k coins ATed before.
     
  18. FreakyGarrettC

    FreakyGarrettC Wise young snail

    Thats the coin on the front of the sunnywood pamphlet right?
     
  19. That's it...
     
  20. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    I don't dispute that but the intention is almost always quite different. A $50 common date MS64 Morgan can be AT'ed without risk of loss. If the coin is doctored correctly, the value might jump 10X, but if it will never drop more than $20-$30. In these cases, the intent of the doctor is to create toning that will drive a huge premium. In the $50K coin case, the intention is almost always one of two scenarios. The first involves hiding a defect which would then increase the grade of the coin driving a huge price increase. The second would be to make an ugly rare coin more eye appealing. This could cause the coin to get a grade bump from market grading.

    Look at the case of that Gobrecht Dollar you posted earlier in the thread. Several members commented on how the coin is ruined because of the AT. Personally, I think the original coin was severly lacking in eye appeal and that the AT helped that coin tremendously. I don't think that coins value was diminished at all by the AT.
     
  21. Catbert

    Catbert Evil Cat

     
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