The pics aren't great but does the toning look artificial to you guys/gals? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-Standi..._Individual&hash=item35b8e193df#ht_500wt_1202
Certainly looks like AT to me. The blue and purple hues are similar to all other AT coins you'll find on eBay. -Brian
That's exactly what I was thinking. Saw some state quarters recently that were obviously artificially toned, and that's what this coin reminded me of.
That toning is tarnish. There's no such thing as "artificial tarnish," as, all tarnish is natural. What I really hear you asking is whether we believe the TPGs will slab the coin for the tarnish. The answer to that is, that's always a crapshoot, as they don't know any better than anybody what they're doing with that ill-defined term, "artificial tarnish."
Whether you like it/agree with it or not, some forms/causes of "tarnish" are generally deemed to be natural, and others, not. For example, when a coin appears to have been exposed to heat and chemicals, it is considered to be artificially toned. And generally speaking, knowledgeable numismatists (including graders at the major grading companies) have a good understanding of how coins tend to tone, and do, indeed, know better than many others, "what they're doing". Yes, in many or most cases it can be a matter of guesswork, but it can be highly educated guesswork, based on decades of experience.
"Highly educated" or highly delusional? "Knowledgeable numismatists" or delusional numismatists? There's room for debate, there...don't you think? The question isn't whether it's "NT/AT." The question is whether one can define "NT/AT" in a way rational collectors can understand and apply. Bottom-line is one is putting the cart before the horse when one is ignoring the latter to ask the former.
I clicked on the link and expected some monstrosity of a VF coin. What I saw at least from the pics did not look implausible. Did any of you factor in more 1930 SL quarters were put away in original rolls than other dates? Did you factor that these were dispersed a lot in the 50s when they have sulphur containing folders? When thinking of AT versus NT you have to remember facts like what was happening with issues and the like. I used to find many 1930 BU SL's toned. If a collector would have one BU SL, it would be a 1930, so naturally they toned more than any other date. I could be wrong on this one, but on the surface I am not suspicious. IF it would have been a date other than the 30 I would have been more suspicious, or IF it would have been lower grade. As it is, it looked plausible this coin could be NT. I would need better pics to be sure one way or the other, (to the extent any of this could ever be "sure"). Chris
I don't see anything that screams AT about the coin in question. I would need to see in hand to make a more informed comment.
