I have seen some silver coins with a lot of patina on them. Is it safe to buy such coins? How would PCGS grade such coins? What problems would i face buying such coins? Thanks
Patina is nothing but a fancy word for toning. It is also sometimes referred to as "original skin" or "skin". And the meaning of the word depends sometimes on the coin in question. An copper or bronze ancient for example might be said to have a patina when it is covered with a thin, green coating that is nothing the beginning stages of corrosion. So the answer to your question depends on the coin you are talking about. But in most cases patina on a coin is a good thing in the yes of most people.
Here is my advice on the subject. Before purchasing any toned coins, learn as much as you can on the subject. Here are some links to get you started. What you need to know about: The Science of Toning Rainbow Toning's Effect on Price The Toning Premium Thread A color Chart for the Thin Film Color Progression Once you have studied the suject and feel comfortable moving ahead, I recommend only buying toned coins that are graded by either NGC or PCGS until you feel comfortable with your ability to detect an AT coin. Artificial toning is the biggest problem that faces a toned coin collector.
