Everyone loves Toning...

Ok, new to the board (and collecting) and I notice a handful of threads regarding toning and how wonderful these coins are. I will probably get some responses when I say that I don't really like the look and my favorites coins are ones that look closest to what they did when minted. Am I in the minority with this opinion or do others think less of coins with toning?


Maybe it is like red wine where it can take time to aquire a taste?

 

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I have read articles that comment on newbies to the hobby preferring blast white over toned. This is the first time i have seen it proven. Toned coins appeal to me, as do blast white. Depends on the coin i guess. Toned coins can bring a large premium over their blast white counterparts as well, making them the targets of coin doctors.

 

I think you will find that your closing sentence is right on target. While some long time collectors still prefer blast white coins, the majority find that their appreciation of toning increases with their numismatic experience. Leave yourself a note to check this thread in 5 years to see if you still have the same opinion. My guess is that you will view the following coin much differently.

 

Everyone has their own preference, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Take a look at the complete set of Early Commems from the link below. This set sold a couple years ago for 7 figures. After you've looked at all of them, then I'd like you to try and picture them in your mind being totally blast white. Which do you like the best? Toned or Blast White?

http://pinnacle-rarities.com/Collections/HiddenLiberty/browse.html

By the way, welcome to the neighborhood!

Chris

 

I didnt grant permission to show off my collection

LOL jk those are really nice

 

WRONG!

After roughly a half-century of collecting I still haven't developed a taste for collecting tarnished coins.

 

I'm a casual acquaintance of one of the owners of this set, and it was their intention to post it on that site for everyone to enjoy.

Chris

 

some people like coins that have been ruined!!!

 

Camlove2 your not alone. 99% of the toning I don't care for. Very mild toning can look good on coins, but some of the coins that I've seen that are blotchy black and brown, they are not pretty. Like they say it is different strokes for different folks, it would be extremely boring if we all loved the exact same things. Welcome...

 

I've been collecting for over 25 years and I still prefer blast white. Why? I'm not sure. I will concede that I'm not the best at spotting doctored coins, so perhaps that makes me shy away from them.

 

Thanks for the replies,

I looked at the coins posted here
http://pinnacle-rarities.com/Collect...ty/browse.html
and I have to agree that some of the toning looks really nice, others I didn't like so much. It seems like the consistant toning or the "halo" around the whole coin has some appeal to me. The coins with cresent moon toning or spots, not so much. It reminds me of when I collected baseball cards, a small crease might be ok as long as it didn't cut across the center/face of the card.

 

Well, some coins I like toned and some I don't. In reality, 90% of the coins 100 years or older that don't have some sort of toning have been cleaned at some point, so you have to decide if you prefer coins that have naturally toned over time, as they all will, or if you prefer a cleaned coin.
Guy~

 

I would want to show it off too.

 

Everybody is different, some people right out of the gate are in love with toned coins while others find them repulsive.

From what I've seen on these and other boards, almost everyone develops a taste for some kind of toning on coins. The only reason I used to really collect only blast white coins is because that is all I could afford. Toning runs at a premium, it adds to eye appeal and eye appeal can heavily affect the price and grade of a coin.

I love, certain types, of toning, I'm not the one to be paying 3X retail on a splotchy black toned Morgan, more into vibrant colors, as are most toner lovers.

I would be willing to put my money on the fact that in a few months or even a few years you will love toned coins, that is how it works for quite a bit, although not all, collectors.

 

Toning is like hair color, some is market acceptable, some is not. Only the "hair doctor" knows for sure.

 

Yes, toning is so nasty and horrible! :rolling:

 

Toning like everyone has said is based on taste. Some say that a toned coin is by definition not mint state, since chemically toning is oxidation of the mint luster and therefor can never be called mint state. Others love the beauty. Be very careful of very old coins, since a large number were cleaned, and even if they are toned now that does not mean they weren't cleaned in the past.

Myself, I collect ancients that were all cleaned, so I don't have to worry! I admit some dark, hard glossy green patinas on ancient bronzes can look very nice though.

 

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That is the conundrum. If they use this definition, they must include any coin a day after minting, as the chemical process starts the minute of the strike due to the presence of oxygen. Toning is the visible indicator of a stage of chemical reaction, but it isn't like it was after striking, so at what stage is an arbitrary line drawn?

Also as most have heard, the majority of coins over 100 years old ( or even much less) have been acid dipped back to bright white, and the coin surface isn't like it was at striking , it is reduced. This is less noticeable the first time it is dipped and most after 3 or more, so it isn't mint state by their definition either.

As far as the general market, I think MS is defined on a wear basis rather than dipped or toned coins. Many experts define numismatic terms in favor of their own collecting preferences and beliefs.

If you like toning~ Great, If you like Bright White ~ Great.....3 decades from now, preferences will probably be reversed again

Jim

 

I agree with you that it is a preference and a somewhat arbitrary line. However, overdipped coins will not receive mint state grading if it has removed too much luster. I think the point some argue, (not me), is it the natural color has changed due to toning, then this is effectively damage to the luster.

You are right about preferences changing. I liked toned coins when I collected American, and used to get discounts off of "white" coins 20-30 years ago. I put away a lot of pretty toned bust and seated liberty halves then, which unfortunately are just sitting in a bank vault today. Some day I will bring them out and enjoy them again.