Happy Hump Day!! Pulled this quarter out of a sticky ashtray. I think I’m starting to get a better coin eye, Is this kind of coloring a trait to look for in collecting? It’s in very nice condition also
Ashtray? That would be Environmental Toning. Exposure to something that would alter the Cupro-Nickel clad layer. It's a dirty Quarter.. Not the desirable kind of toning.
Well I live and work at a tow yard, so a bunch of my finds come from sticky nooks and crannies. The quarter itself isn’t sticky or dirty I’m on the right track though, right? I mean coloring wise
Might be one of the very quarters I've found in my front yard over the years. I found many just like that. First I clean them off so they can pass for a quarter and then throw them back into circulation. That's precisely what they look like after I spiffy them up for re-release. High points all shinny clean while the low points still rust-dirty.
No, not really. Here is the coloring wise you want to see in coins. Toned silver coin Silver quarter coloring, looks different from the clad like yours and finally, environmental damage.
Some coins get a really strong rainbow effect on them and are very desirable to some collectors! That's the main thing I look for in toning!!!
Collecting is about what you like and what satisfies your needs. As noted by fellow enthusiasts, they are offering you a more broadly established and accepted standard for appearances. This might be what you are after, but since it is an individual preference, only you can know. Regarding your subject coin, there are folks who would find that appearance appealing. Most I suspect would not. But there are folks who collect these coins...might even pay a small premium for. Here's something to consider: Low Ball Sets: There are folks who will put together a low ball set of worn coins with the aim of a set with a consistent worn appearance. This is often done where there are a number of expensive coins in the series. Rather than a mix of fair to uncirculated coins, they aim for a set with continuity in mind. Sometimes the challenge is to build a set under a certain dollar amount. I saw one challenge to build a set of Buffalo Nickels for under $100. The fellow enthusiast had to be deliberate about purchases since there are a few normally pricey coins in the series. Yet he did it. Environmental Sets: I saw a CRH enthusiast build a set of Jefferson Nickels that looked like your quarter above. It took a long time since his objective was to find 'cameo' appearance like you see on the reverse of your quarter. The effect of his collection was really pretty incredible. Seeing dozens of Jefferson nickels in that condition caused the album to pop. As a result, I started laying away nickels like that to build my own. What would either set be worth? I'm not sure that was the point of it for either person. Instead, they saw a challenge and built collections to share with others. They had success on many levels. So to each...their own...collect what you like and don't worry about anything. On the other note, if you are trying to develop a more common understanding about what appearances are more desirable, then by all means listen to the members here offering input and do your own sleuthing to arrive at your definition. You should do fine!
PS - @Kristen Nicole So it got me wondering - how far do you think you would get building a set of Jefferson Nickels from the loose change abandoned in vehicles, found on the floor, tucked in one of those nooks and crannies? Could you build a set from 1964 to present? Perhaps from an earlier date? In that case, appearances might be set aside to just fill a spot in an album. When I built my first Jefferson Nickel set from circulation, I wasn't fussy about the condition or appearance of the coin. Just filled a hole. When I completed that, I thought about all the better condition coins I had accumulated. The new challenge was whether or not I could build a VF or better series. I did. So then I challenged myself to build a VF/XF set prior to 1955, AU or better 1956 forward. What you see is that the challenge kept changing. That's when I challenged myself to see how complete a set I could build in a 12 month window, trading out previous finds during the year with the best find for a date/mm during the challenge. I was also setting aside some of the environmentally damaged coins along the way. The coins for that set remain in a container waiting for me to pop into an album. I also started circulation find sets for V Nickels and Buffalo Nickels. There are some fairly ugly Buffalo Nickels in my set, but it is a circulation find and more important for me...at the moment...to fill a spot than to worry about appearances. It gives me a challenge...and that appeals to me the most.