It really depends on your personal preference. I'm fine with irregular toning like that, but there are some who hate it.
No offense but I really do think coin toning is ugly, BUT sometimes it looks good. Your coin is not all that bad. It depends on what you think. Trust your gut feelings.
Sorry for not displaying the grade (I'm still learning the etiquette of this forum). Thanks for sharing your opinions. I think the main point I took away from them is that one's enjoyment of his/her own coins need not be dependent upon others' views of said coins. I bought this coin at a local coin show. The dealer was willing to sell it to me for MS-64 'sheet' ask without any haggling. At first I hesitated, because I was afraid that the reason he was selling it fairly cheap was that the toning was actually artificial (even though it was slabbed). But ultimately, I decided that I like the unique (for my collection) look of the coin, and I bought it. Anyway, thanks for looking
The toning looks NT to me. Not too crazy about the black smudge that makes the miner look like he has a tail, or the spotty toning around his head that looks like a swarm of mosquitoes, but the rest looks ok. Guy~
Looks okay to me, I like the color but not all the spots across the miner's face and such but that's the nature of irregular tone and it really only comes down to personal opinion, yours (the OP's). I'd bet improved photos of your coin would also change some opinion you get in this thread with the images you've posted since they are a bit blurry not showing the sharpness of details on the coin and there are a lot of reflections off the slab clouding the true character of your coin. I'd say it's a keeper and thanks for sharing it with the forum.
While I am not a fan of toned coins period (much prefer a blast white, as over time, all toning will turn), I like the peripheral toning ok, and if that was the only toning on it, I wouldn't mind owning it. That 'speckled' toning is a big turn off for me, though.
I agree completely, the problem is not the coin, it is the photo. You are asking an opinion about the eye appeal of a coin with a dog of a photo (no offense intended). It is inevitable that you will receive negative opinions of a coin under those circumstances. The members who told you that it was your opinion that was important did so because they probably don't feel right about judging a coin based on those photos. They understand that you have seen the coin in hand, and they don't have much to go on. I bet if I had that coin, I could take a photo that would make it appear very impressive. The color looks good and although there is some mottled toning throughout, it is not disturbing IMO. There is very little chance this coin is AT. The color scheme and toning pattern is extremely common for this issue.
I appreciate all of the constructive criticism. With respect to the poor quality of my pictures, I think the saying that comes to mind is the classic 'garbage in, garbage out' I'm a bit discouraged, though, because I suspect one can not learn how to take coin pictures any more than one can learn how to grade through mere practice and repetition (effort is not a problem for me). Unlike learning to ride a bicycle (for example), a discrete skill, both photo taking and grading probably take a lifetime to develop....
Don't be discouraged. It takes lots and lots of practice, but it can be accomplished. I mean both - grading and picture taking. Just get some good lighting, a tripod and keep practicing. As it is I think NT, but not an expert. Also when posting pictures just post the whole coin as best as possible - most just need to see the coin and not the slab. I am not sure I have ever posted a whole slab - I might mention or tell the grade, but I can not recall every posting the top part of a slab.
