http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-D-NEAR-GEM...mQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item45efd2d916 any feedback woud be great !
For whatever reason, I don't know that much about mint set copper toning and can't say definitively AT or NT. Here is what I do know. The spotting is very distracting, the coin is not very high grade (MS64 max), it is extremely common, has questionable color, and juiced photos. Scott is a nice guy and I like him, unfortunately I don't like this coin or the photos. It seems as though every photo in his inventory uses diffused lighting. This technique is great at showing the colors of a toned coin but shows absolutely no luster. Therefore, it is impossible to get an accurate depiction of what the coin looks like in hand. I only use diffused lighting on toned proofs, he uses them for every coin. His slab photos are not bad, I wish he would just crop them and use them for his closeup photos. My advice is that if you have to ask AT or NT?, you should restrict yourself to only buying toned coins in either PCGS or NGC holders.
I agree with Lehigh, imo those pics are taken under diffused light, and look pretty juiced. So it's hard to say AT or NT, my guess from those pics is it's NT, but in hand, the toning isn't nearly as strong.
thanks for the info! that makes complete sence as to the lighting. So you saying that he is overplaying the toning and it is more than likely gonna look real different in hand. And thats good advice lehigh and raider ill remember that .
Diffused lighting involves placing a shade over the light source. It can be accomplished quite easily at a minimum of expense. The effect of diffused lighting is dramatic. Please look at the two photos below of a 1958 NGC MS66* Washington Quarter. The first photo is under normal lighting conditions and the second with diffused lighting. Notice how the first coin shows luster and the second does not. Now imagine that you purchased this coin based on the appearance of the second photo alone and when you received the coin it looked like the first photo. How would you feel? The second photo is not juiced, saturated, or enhanced in anyway other than cropping and contrast adjustments. But the fact remains that the photo does not accurately represent the actual appearance of the coin. Anyone who purchases coins online based on photos needs to know how different lighting affects the appearance in the photo. Furthermore, this is not a trick used by shady dealers limited to E-Bay. While I don't have direct proof, I believe that Heritage uses diffused lighting on some of their coins in their catalogs as well.
Paul, You have far too many coins on your desk, while I have far too few. I must do something about that
WOW ! thank you for the indepth answer ! i must say u just took me on a journey into lighting and tone ... Do you have a tip jar ?
I have too many coins period. I really need to start seriously selling them but I am so lazy. I will probably consign a bunch to auction soon.
Can't tell NT or AT from those photos. I highly suspect NT, but I also suspect tinkering of the photos. That's just not natural color. When I look for a coin photo, I want one that's not been messed with. Photoshop and other software is fine for cropping, sizing, etc., but when you mess with the color, you can get an extremely distorted idea of what the coin looks like in hand. The copper spots are enough to make me say no.
Some great advice here. IMO, depending on how low it goes, if you want it take a chance. 7 day return policy. People may bid it up too high though. Just know that if you pay $20 or more for this loose coin, you probably would not get it back out of it using your own pics if you went to re-sell. FWIW, I have seen a Indian head cent in a NGC slab that had toned blue. It was very neat but didn't look like this. This picture is an unrealistic color but it still may be an interesting coin.
My first impulse is it's artificial and / or the photos unfairly manipulated. In any case, I personally don't find it attractive. But that's just me.
While proof IHC's treated with MS70 may reside in NGC holders, that does not guarantee the originality of the toning. I don't own the coin below (photos courtesy of Brandon Kelley ARC). They are pretty though!
Toning occurs and is caused by the elements around the coin. Sulfer is one. Heat has its hand in it also. So, some like toning and others do not. Each to his own. -O)
