The Myth of toned coins.....

I have read and studied.., and even had local coin dealers give their feedback. And it makes sense........and true

Toned coins are coins that are damaged..., or are in the process being damaged..
And let me explain, We all collect coins...And what do we like to collect? Coins that looked like they were miinted yesterday..!!! Coins are meant to be collected like the day they were minted off the press..

This is a no-brainer.. No were else in the history of collectables does anyone want toned, hazed, marbeled, irridesent, splottchy, or colored items.
Can you imagine a painting that has transformed colors from the original paintings colors?
The coin markets want you to believe that it is "desirable", "unique"... But it is not.

It is the original, fresh minted collectable coin that we all desire. Toned coins came along because of dealers holding them in their inventory..and then wondering what to do with them...
They then convinced their closest customers that they were unique....and then it went nationwide.
Only coins that are fresh minted off the presses are valuable, don't believe the hype..

 

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To each their own. It's despicable to tell others how they should collect. Let them do what makes them happy.

Personally, I love toned coins, they just ooze eye appeal, and I feel they're here to stay, in terms of market demand and general appeal. The market dictates they receive a higher premium than blast-white coins, and I think that says it all. Supply and demand, supply and demand...

By the way, just for you...

 

Of course that is Artificail toning, and I don't mind toning myself, it's just I want everyone to know, that toning, is the first step in corroding of a coin. Metals corrode over time. Copper faster than most.
If it is artificial, (like the post above), it is immediatly body bagged, or now, in a genuine holder..deeming it melt value (depending on date), maybe more than melt value..
And if it has Natural toning, it is damaged IMHO...why would anyone want a coin that didn't look like it did straight from the mint presses the day the were made?
Those are the most valuable, imho.. Look at any other collectable, baseball cards, currency, paintings, stamps, comics, etc..
Here is an example:
Let's say we have a 2 vintage #1 edition's of the superman comic book.
1) They both appear in decent shape,
except one of them has discolored, yellow pages. And the other has perfect white pages.
which one is going to sell for more? hmmm...

The coin dealers have fleeced almost all collectors of coins into beliveing that toned coins are not only acceptable , but are premium.....The emperor has no clothes...but, collect what you want.

 

Be that as it may, you can't argue with the market. The fact is right now that buyers will pay a premium for toned coins. Don't believe me, check out what a coin with attractive toning sells for on EBay compared to an identical coin without the toning.

 

This posting can turn ugly fast
Where's the popcorn gif? lol

Race your right that you can't argue with the market but remember that markets change...ie housing market, baseball card market, stock market, Beanie Baby market...I think you get my point.
I like toned coins but I also like blast white ones and really like ones with original skins...
Just remember that markets change is all.

 

I love myths

I love myths.
Gentleman prefer blonds.......it has been said. But we are not all gentle men.

Nothing has been mentioned about fine new wines.

"Everyone" wants a cloned coin like you seek may be stretching it, bub.

But I like the thread so far and want to see if we pull in some attitude about folks that get distraught about precious metals pounded with hammers and handled with tongs with impressions that please you.

:devil:

 

No doubt Duke, markets can and will change. What's hot today could be out tomorrow. Maybe now's the time to be selling toned coins?

Interestingly enough I like toned coins that are obviously NT, examples are those silver that have been toned through years of circulation, you normally can't really find them in grades much above XF. Although they're pretty, I'm not a huge fan of the rainbow toned Morgans like the one posted above. To each his own though. Those kind of coins have a huge fan-base right now.

 

Comparing toned coins to baseball cards is not a proper analogy. Look instead at antiques. Antique silver will bring a much greater price if it has a natural patina (toning) than it will if it is blast white. Antique furniture loses almost all of its value if it has been refinished, which is the equivelent of dipping a nice toned coin.

Richard

 

Ah-Human nature. I like coins, antique furniture and guns, and old cars. Years ago the cleaning of coins was an acceptable practice. Had to get rid of that "ugly tarnish" and make em like new. As for antique furniture, guns, swords, etc.--That old dresser you found in Granny's attic covered with dirt and the shellac all cracked and blackened is worth say $5000 as is. Clean it up a bit and it looks much nicer, but Uh-Oh--its now only worth $1800--sorry. Old cars? Another story altogether. A junker in someone's barn might be worth $1500 as it sits. Refinish it and now it can bring $80,000 up.
We are a fickle bunch ain't we? As for toners--I like some of them. Even bought one. I'm sure its AT, but its "purdy!" Go figure.

 

AG,

On a scale of 1-70, it seems appropriate, at least to me, that I give you a "3" for this thread. While I believe that you are entitled to your opinion, I do not believe that you are the spokesperson for the entire numismatic community, so please dispense with the "we" stuff.

Furthermore, you've committed one of "my holy sins" by claiming that nowhere else in the history of collectibles does anyone want toned, hazed, marbled, iridescent, splotchy or colored items. Try selling an 18th century Chippendale secretary desk that would normally command a $150K price tag after it has been refinished, destroying the natural patina and all of the human markings that came with its use. As was previously mentioned, we're not talking about baseball cards nor are we talking about comic books.

You've also implied that this market preference for toners was the result of dealers having such coins in their inventory who wanted to "dump" (my word) them on the collecting public which is also inaccurate. As a matter of fact, collectors were actively seeking the prized toners long, long before the dealers realized that they were so popular. It has only been within this past decade that dealers were finally realizing the immense popularity of this toner niche that was created by the collectors.

By the way, LTrain's Morgan is not AT nor are the ones below. It may interest you to know that I paid a fair premium for every one of these, but those prices were still well below what the market would ordinarily dictate.

Finally, it may also interest you to know that, according to the ANA Grading Standards for US Coins, silver, being a chemically reactive metal, has a tendency to tone naturally over time, but nowhere does the guidebook refer to this toning as being a form of damage.

Chris

 

interesting choice of words, thats for sure. i just don't see how you personally can dictate a market or whats truly valuable?

"i don't like errors, i feel that they are reject coins and not good examples for a collection" would you buy a car with an extra hood? don't believe the hype, only coins that look like they were minted yesterday with a full clear strike are valuable..

 

When I started collecting I took an instant liking to toned morgans which were readily available and have put together a modest collection. I have watched prices soar and availability diminish for better color coins. Such as the situation is currently I have consigned 25 higher end slabbed morgans, mostly starred NGC, to auction at the end of this month. I'm not sure where the market is going but the possibility of toners having reached the peak of popularity is worrisome to me. I did keep a few of my best coins and will consider taking some of the money and buying a "monster" morgan and finishing my collection of gem washies (all rainbow toned of course). Give me color or give me death!

 

To give the poor guy 3 out of 70 is a bit harsh, I think. But the mark does not really matter. The topic does! I am a new member, and I perhaps I am not suppose to join the conversation... But I find it extremely interesting - thanks to ALL the participants (even if some are not so diplomatic...) Keep going, we beginners learn a lot. Thanks for the beautiful images cpm9ball. I love the conversation!!

 

I wasn't being harsh. The "3" was duly "earned" since his username is About Good, which, according to the Sheldon Scale of 1-70 is AG3.

Fanie, I don't believe there is anything stated in the forum rules that bars newcomers from joining any conversation. Post away!

So, you like the images. Thanks! They are from the seller who is a friend of mine and a much better photographer than I. What do you think of the Morgans?

Chris

 

From my beginning to collecting, I always was drawn to toned coins in dealers cases. back then, no one really wanted them including most of the dealers who were always willing to sell at very discounted prices. Now those same dealers are begging for them back at very inflated prices! But why? I would guess there are a great number of collectors nowadays willing to spend good money for those pieces of (so called) damaged metal.

 

I know a guy who takes all his toned coins and dips them before selling, just a quick dip to remove the toning. Were they damaged before or after, were they damaged more by the dipping. I personally will collect blast white or toned coins, as long as the toning is beautiful and does not detract from the coin.

 

I think the OP is right and that toned coins are damaged.....I am personally willing to take a stand and help this hobby I love by purcashing as many of these damagaed coins as possible...back of bid of course...so if you have any coins that look like the Morgans posted by Chris...I urge you to please send them to me immediately. Power to the people....Blast white collector of the world Unite!!!!!!!

 

Nah! You don't want to send them to this guy. He'll dip them to death, and if that doesn't work, he'll use them in the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the hammocks of the Everglades. It's true that no one attends these egg hunts, but the crows love the coins.

Chris

 

I love this damage........