I have notice that many/most original Bust Halves have a very dark toning or at best a dull grey finish. Is this because of the metal content, since you rarely see Morgans or other silver coins with the same coloration. It seem that the majority of circulated Bust have been cleaned at one time or another. I know there are brilliant examples, but many of the slabbed coins that (are not) graded Genuine seem to have the dark or dull finish not common to later Silver coins. The copper content is only slightly more on these than the more modern Franklins, Morgan 1$ etc. Is that enough to make the difference in the normal coloration of the coins as they age? Lack
its the way they were stored. I own this AU53 (OGH) example with morgan dollar colors that you pretty much never seen on Bust Halfs because they werent stored like morgans.
Busties have two things going against them. First is their age. Second is they actually circulated. Both of these lead to the observations by the OP, IMO.
I just assumed the colors had been enhanced as I have never seen a bust, or Morgan for that matter with colors quite so vibrant and with distinct cutoffs. Most times people enhance the colors so they can show them easier. If thats how they really look I have to seriously question whether or not they are AT or not. Thats all I meant. Guy~
No, what makes the difference is that the vast majority of older silver coins that you see that are not that dark grey color, are that way because they have been dipped. Most collectors of Bust halves are a different sort. They don't want bright shiny coins - they like that dark grey color. The market knows this and has known it for decades. So Bust halves tend to be left alone for the most part.
That Bust is psychedelic man! :smile http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQsAQwAw
No I never enhance my images. That's how it looks in hand. It's in a PCGS OGH and has NT toning characteristics. I have plenty of Morgans just as if not more vibrant than the bust pictured
