Learning About Rainbow Toning

Seems almost pointless to say this, as it's really just a matter of personal preference, but for the most part I just don't care for toning (as far as I'm concerned, "toning" is just a euphamism for "tarnish," and in any sane world it should lower the value of a coin, not raise it!). I understand the reality that some people do like toning, and I don't think it's unreasonable for coins with toning that some find attractive to carry a small premium for the sake of those it appeals to, but I don't get why some carry large premiums because of it. And I agree with GDJMSP, if you can't tell the difference between a coin that's "naturally" toned with one that's "artificially" toned, what difference does it make? For that matter, if you CAN tell the difference, what difference does it make? If you want toned coins so bad, why not just buy them untoned, tone them yourself, and pocket the savings to buy more coins? May ruin the value doing that, but if you just want toned coins in your collection and don't intend to sell them anyway, so what?

And don't get me started on "monster toning," a term that I consider synonymous with "butt-ugly toning." (I always assumed the reason they called it "monster toning" was that just like a monster, it is something you want to quickly get away from, lol...)

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Very excellent responses by all. GD, I appreciate the explanation of how coins can tone in bags like this. What do you think of the coins with the double rings? Does it make sense that these maybe sat in a bag for a while with a coin on top of them, then the coin on top of them got moved a little and left a second ring?

 

There was a fellow on another list who actually figured out a way to artificially tone Morgans and in PCGS holders. Many made it into the market. Just another little secret the slabbers don't advertise..

Do a search on manofcoins at this site, http://forums.collectors.com/categories.cfm?catid=26

 

The apology thread...
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=535409&STARTPAGE=1

 

I'm quite certain already but what do you guys think of this one? I bought it about a year ago on ebay.

 

looks like a chemical spill

 

Probably, LOL.

 

Here are some "interesting" ones from current eBay listings:



Haha, what do you guys think about these?

 

Wow!!! That is awesome. Looks like AT to me. It wouldnt matter to me if it was. Thats one beautiful coin.

 

I don't see the point of toning copper, isn't red still the best color for copper ?

The GW dollar is comical, toned in a few weeks.

The quarter looks way too blue, but pretty.

I'm convinced that toning can no longer justify huge premiums, you can't tell for certain how it got there. Its like artwork now, guys can paint the coin about any color they want.

 

Yes.

Few years back, after reading a post in 'Coin World Forum', I wrapped couple of these restrike MTs in tissue papers and left them near my window. When checked last December (after almost three years), both of them had similar toning.

Now, how many of you will call this AT?

Regards
Ballabh Garg

 

Tell you the truth, it wouldn't matter to me if you told me, "I put it in a potato and cooked it for 3 years in an oven, I mean it, I mean it, I mean it, I mean it!" In my humble opinion, this coin is nothing short of magnificent.

 

Nice , I think the toning has been accelerated just a bit on those coins!! Now mabey we need to add accelerated toning to our list of terms. Even natural toning has to have a catylist to occur, it just takes a few years longer to occur.

 

I ended up buying the third coin in my first post. I thought it had a very nice, even rainbow toning to it that doesn't go too far. A couple of those I posted are turning black, which I don't find too attractive. I more or less just wanted a nice example of a rainbow toned coin to add to my collection. This one also has the added benefit of being an NGC Star coin (MS64*), which I think is kind of cool. Who knows, it could be the first of many rainbow toned coins for me!

 

With all the web sites for just about anything on Earth, guess what? There is a thing called Toned Coins Collectors Society. Naturally it is www.tonedcoins.org
If you want to learn more that may be the place.