toning and grading

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The pics are WB-set and true and you're right but I couldn't find any other colorful example within the same date and mint mark to illustrate what you were saying. Thanks, again.

 

My entire collection consists of rainbow toned coins and I don't own a single coin MS62 or below, so I think we have a dilemna. Toning is the result of oxidation (1st stage of corrosion) on a coin. When hydrogen sulfide gas in combination with oxygen come in contact with silver, the result is the formation of a silver sulfide layer on the coins surface. In the beginning stages, the film is so thin that it appears as color on the coin. For a more detailed explanation of thin film interfaces on coins, please visit the following website:

http://www.ivyleaguecoin.com/scienceoftoning.html

As far as the numismatic world is concerned, toning is not considered damage to the coin (corrosion) until the coin turns black or pitting occurs. In fact, attractive toning is considered very beneficial and will on occasion result in a higher market grade assigned by the TPG and these coins bring huge premiums ranging from 2X-100X bid. Here is just a sampling of some attractively toned Morgan Dollars from the Battle Creek collection. All are graded either MS64* or MS65*.



If you would like to see any toned Morgans of a higher grade, just tell me what grade you want to see (within reason).

 

How long until coins may corrode from toning?
Or does it solely depend on storage?

 

What is the grade of this coin and why? The marks in the obverse left field are on the holder not the coin.



We don't tell newbies that toning decreases value because it does not unless it negatively affects the coins appearance. When the toning is light (as in the coin imaged above) the toning is considered neutral and has absolutely zero effect on the coin's grade and value.

 

This coin sold for at auction for in the June 2002 Heritage Longbeach Signature Sale for over $700.



Exactly how long does the rainbow toned coin market need to exist before you see it as such, instead of a passing fad. I will agree that the overall coin market seems to flip flop on whether or not toned or brilliant coins are more desirable. However, there is very strong base of collectors (myself included) that specialize in rainbow toned coins and always will. It is this core of collectors that keep these coins in demand and the prices high, not the newbies to the hobby.

 

It depends solely on storage conditions. However, the rainbow toned coins that bring huge premiums sat in canvas bags in bank vaults for decades and still did not turn black. If you left an uncirculated Morgan Dollar unprotected in a basement in Florida with an ample source of hydrogen sulfide gas, I would guess that it would corrode rather quickly.

 

Ohh ok. thanks

I know GDJ once posted (I think it was him) an older coin that was rainbow toned turning into corrosion.

 

Lehigh, I accept toning as a market factor, no question about it. In fact, I'll go as far as to say, I can easily see your 1886 toned Morgan going for over $700. It's a cinch. But now, toning being a grading factor--well, it's hard to tell if it's AT'ed, isn't it? In fact, look at some of the threads in our archives on this subject, it's hard to even define AT and NT.

Let me just put it this way, the coin doctors are going to have a field day with this new "grading factor;" if a coin, circulated or uncirculated, can now grade higher based on toning, and, as it's possible to influence, even hasten, this "natural process"...

 

Thank you, Doug. I do learn some things around here, as hog-headed stubborn as I may come across at times...

 

Where do you see black on this coin? The bottom edge is emerald green yielding to violet. No black beauties in this thread. I have brightened the photo to show you that there is no black. BTW, I won this coin at auction in 2002 and it looks exactly the same as the day I bought it.

 

Come on now, this coin is much closer, yet still no black.