Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Lehigh96, post: 433165, member: 15309&quot;]This is a great question.&nbsp; Just like brilliant coins, toned coins can have varying degrees of luster.&nbsp; Sometimes the actual toning mutes the luster.&nbsp; Either way, the amount of luster will have a dramatic effect on the appearance of the color and the overall eye appeal of the coin.&nbsp; You will find some coins that have blasting luster in combination with incredible toning.&nbsp; These are the coins that tend to get Market Graded by the TPG&#039;s and are also prime candidates for the NGC star designation.&nbsp; Likewise, you can find very colorfully toned coins with muted luster.&nbsp; The colors are there, but they appear very flat and sometimes unattractive without the luster.&nbsp; Most coins will fall somewhere in the middle with moderate luster shining through underneath the toning.</p><p><br /></p><p>The best way to understand this is by looking at some examples visually.&nbsp; The Morgan Dollar series is a good place to start simply because it has an abundance of toned coins with all kinds of luster differences.&nbsp; Please note that some issues of Morgans come with frosty luster and others have prooflike or semi-prooflike surfaces.&nbsp; These two types of luster will have dramatically different appearances in hand that can&#039;t really be appreciated in photos, although I will try.&nbsp; Let us first look at some frosty Morgans starting with those with muted luster.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"> <font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><u>Muted Luster</u></span></font></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><br /></span></font></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1886NGCMS631865266-1-1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1884-ONGCMS66449762--2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Notice how the colors on the first coin lack the pop and flash that normally accompanies an emerald green Morgan.&nbsp; The second coin has better luster than the first but only because the toning is not as advanced.&nbsp; Even though this coin is graded an MS66, the colors appear a little flat due to muted luster.&nbsp; Compare these two coins with the next two that have better (moderate) luster.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"> <u><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue">Moderate Luster</span></font></u></p> <p style="text-align: center"><u><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><br /></span></font></u></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1887NGCMS641875422-0-2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1886NGCMS65ObverseHo-3.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>There is no doubt that the increased luster definitely improves the appearance of the color on the coins.&nbsp; Notice how the colors are more vibrant and seem to glow although you can&#039;t really see the cartwheel effect in the photos.&nbsp; Now compare these two with the blazing examples below.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><u>Highly Lustrous</u></span></font></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><br /></span></font></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1881-SNGCMS66338136--4.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/Picture1152.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The first coin is toned almost entirely in green and gold but you can actually see the cartwheel effect in the photo of this superb gem Morgan Dollar.&nbsp; The second coin has luster that just makes the colors appear incredible.&nbsp; This is one of the most vibrantly colored Morgans I have ever seen and the appearance is due in no small part to the lustrous surface of the reverse.&nbsp; Now let us look at two Morgans with semi-prooflike surfaces.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><u>Semi-Prooflike Luster</u></span></font></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font size="4"><span style="color: Blue"><br /></span></font></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1881-SNGCMS65114369--2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1880-SNGCMS66StarObv-4.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>This will be your quiz.&nbsp; I hope you can tell me which coin has better luster from the photos.</p><p><br /></p><p>When collecting toned coins, I would say that luster is equally as important as color.&nbsp; It is the combination of luster and toning that increase the eye appeal of the coin and drive the huge premiums that are seen often with respect to rainbow toned coins.&nbsp; Without the luster, the coin will appear flat and it will not deserve much of a premium.&nbsp; Having said that, it is extremely important that you search for photos that can give you an idea of the luster on the coin.&nbsp; Many of the sellers on E-Bay enhance their photos to give the illusion of luster and vibrancy of colors that does not actually exist.&nbsp; My advice is to seek out rainbow toned coins with excellent photos from reputable dealers with a generous return policy.&nbsp; And remember to bring a full wallet.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in