A toned coin is when it reacts with it's surrounding environment and its surface changes color due to that. Toned coins have a huge following of collectors.
Howdy, Silver coins in particular can tarnish over time in sometimes very attractive ways. You can seeat the link, they can be gorgeous and some people are willing to pay a premium for very pretty coins. http://www.google.com/search?q=tone...GA0AGT0oCgBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1280&bih=815 peace, rono
lots of post on this forum about toning. There are also many debates about artificial and natural toning. Next to cleaning a coin this is probably next big topic in discussions.
Here's a pleasant example....... http://www.cointalk.com/members/gre...arber-george-t-morgan-distribution-1-550-405/
As defined by Webster: Toning: The horrible abomination resulting in discoloration of a beautiful blast-white coin secondary to environmental changes or prolonged exposure to environmental stimuli Sorry, I'm just trying to brain-wash him into the "no-toning" camp.
Blast white is a turn off also when you get into the older US coins. A nice gun metal grey bust half is much nicer than the blast white versions.
"Toning" is a euphamism for "tarnish", which is the environmental damage-caused discoloration of metals such as silver. Ask your significant other if she wants her silverware to be "toned".
In many cases they can end up being the proverbial money pit. Other times they are the stars of high grade collections and great investments.
I have collected coins for many years but none that I have look like the pictures. Thank you everyone for the explanations. I really appreciate all the input.
