Understanding Toned Coins by CaptBrian1

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Don't tone it down

 

Coin toning can actually up or lower the value of coins. Natural coin toning can be quite beautiful. It can also be quite ugly.

 

And because beauty is often times in the eye of the beholder, placing a value on a coin due to its toning can present problems.

 

Should you pay extra or less for toned coins? After all, a coin that's toned is going through a form of corrosion, right?

 

We are talking about a discoloration or patina that forms due to reactions to the metal with the elements. Air, water, humidity; all can result in a coloration changein a coin or parts of it.

 

the reaction that creates toning can vary from metal to metal, silver gold copper nickel and so on.

 

Coins which are toned are in a normal stage of the process. Don't worry about it, and if stored properly there is no problem. Only being in a vacuum will stop all changes.

 

Your coin will not disintegrate or go to a non-collectible state.

Even in worse cases, the tone color will usually take years to get to its darkest and least attractive appearance.

 

Nowadays, a toned coin is appealing, not a detraction.

 

YOu could call it tarnish, but that has a negative sound but same on the science level. As long as it is on a natural level, its fine. Do not arificially tone it. You will most likely ruin it.

 

There are ways to tell if toning adds value to your coin.

For most people its eye appeal. If a coin is not good looking, unless its real rare, folks are not going to buy it. On the other hand, if it is for your collection, and you like it, end of story. If collecting was all about shiny coins there would not be a problem with cleaning and polishing like your bumper.

 

I would say, not considering rarity, coins with high populations but few toners, would be looking for a nice variant with toning. Morgans are a good example. There are plenty around, but one that is toned would be an example unto itself and very desireable. I will amend my article later by adding in a toned Morgan which is not rare, but pricey due to extreme toning.

 

To make a point, I once sent in 20 Morgans for grading, and one came back reverse mounted due to extreme toning on the reverse.

 

Obviously, the graders liked toners. Good for me on that one.

 

BEWARE OF ARTIFICIALLY TONED COINS

 

Some folks like to add their own value by doctoring a coin. I call that forgery. There are ways to do it, but when it gets to the grader, they will know and you will get DETAILS on your coin or it may even come back ungraded.

 

I would be quite wary buying toned raw coins. Best to buy graded toned coins and that gives you a nice level of confidence. Any method or way of toning a coin beyond natures way, will and can dramatically reduce your coins value.

 

Numismatic metals tone in different ways. Silver coins as a whole tone more beautifully than those made of other metals. Silver, exposed to the right environmental influences -- to small amounts of hydrogen sulfur in the air or larger amounts in albums, envelopes, canvas bags, paper rolls, leather wallets or purses, rubber bands, and some glues and paints -- can naturally turn subtle or sometimes brilliant shades of yellow, magenta, turquoise, and other colors before eventually turning black. The toning on silver is typically silver sulfide.

 

Copper is the most chemically reactive numismatic metal used in the U.S., and it and its alloys -- bronze (primarily copper and tin) and brass (primarily copper and zinc) -- usually turn from red to a dark and fairly unattractive brown. But copper can turn green as well (sometimes called verdigris). Sometimes copper and its alloys can pick up multiple subtle and attractive shades of red, brown, green, blue, and yellow.

 

Ancient bronze coins can pick up an attractive "earthen" or "desert sand" patina. This sandy beige appearance over all or part of the coin's surface results from the deposition of microscopic grains of silicate from sand or sandy soil.

 

Nickel generally tones only slightly, typically becoming hazy gray though sometimes light golden or pale blue. Nickel coins can also pick up color as a result of PVC contamination from being stored in soft vinyl flips. On nickel, wild rainbow toning, in which multiple colors progress from one to another, is usually artificial.

 

Conclusion: Toned coins are a matter of preference. I like them, you may not Always be sure of how it got its patina. I would stay away from raw coins totally, especially toned items. Price on toned items can vary greatly, so watch the premium you add to one when buying. No one but you may appreciate the color.

and lastly, if it is for your collection, and you like it, GET IT!

 

Capt Brian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION HERE COURTESY OF COINSGUIDE, COINNEWS, and personal knowledge agreeing with some verbage on line.

 

See more journals by CaptBrian1

[jgenn]

At the last Baltimore convention, I tried to interest a few dealers in my PCGS AU58 1783 8 reales, that had no toning, and heard from more than one dealer that their customers were only interested in toned examples. It's not like Charles III portrait 8 reales in that condition are so common that a collector can afford to be too picky. But a smart dealer knows what their customers will pay for -- or what they can more easily flip.

~jack

[CaptBrian]

Jack,

First of all, getting dealers interested in anything above free is a surgeons effort, and 2nd of all, seems treasure or old Spanish items are very difficult as there are so many of them. So, passing beyond those, I have never heard that before regarding any coin especially the reales.

 

I would not be dismayed from not 'pleasing' dealers. I have booths at as many as 15 coin shows per year, including the F.U.N. show in Orlando, Florida (the biggest with over 1000 tables usually) and rarely do dealers buy unless they are getting a super deal way below retail.

 

Reales, being considered treasure or not, are for some reason hard sells. Not sure why. I have had litterally hands full of them and as low price as $50 and can go through many shows without a customer for one.

 

A couple of years ago, I would sell them easily and I give out treasure certificates which are quite nice and also guarantee to buy them back. So I can tell you that the item is not easy to sell.

 

Again, don't let the lack of patina dissuade you. Those reales will fit nicely in someones collection.

 

Capt B.