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Message:: [QUOTE="900fine, post: 710319, member: 6036"]The short answer to "Why toned coins ?" is because they are beautiful and often retain their original "skin". The OP coin is a classic example. That is a wonderfully toned coin with original "skin". Those well-defined circles on the back usually indicate the original packaging. That's the toning it got in it's original packaging. For those who prefer a coin that looks like the day it was made, that's fine for recent issues. But for those who prefer older coins, that blast white look is very unnatural. Virtually no silver from the 1790s or early 1800s retains that look naturally; it's almost always due to dipping or cleaning. No original skin or luster, just blast white silver. IMO unattractive. Original skin and cartwheel under a layer of toning is a true thing of beauty. Subtle, but unmistakable.[/QUOTE]