I was wondering if there is a way to spot FAKE or artificial toning? I have seen some slabs with "Suspect Toning" marked on them and this is what got me wondering. I am going to get some examples of various coins with toning and I don't want to get scammed. As a side note, why does it seem that there are more Morgans that are toned than other coins?
First of all don't buy a coin in any slab that says that. The better grading companies would not slab them at all if they were suspect. Secondly there really isn't any way to tell you how to tell - it's something that just comes with experience. So if you want to be as sure as you can be, then only buy toned coins from people you trust 100% or buy them slabbed by NGC, PCGS, ICG and older ANACS slabs. As for why lots of Morgans are toned, it's because the majority of them sat in bags inside bank vaults for a 100 years.
the canvas bags from the bank vaults did a nice job of toning, esp the side facing the cloth. as for artificial toning, when in doubt, punt.
