Spotting artificially toned coins

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Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Engineer » Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:34 am

I'm starting to become a fan of nicely toned coins, but I'm also a little scared of getting one of the doctored ones. Does anyone here have some personal experience in how to spot them?

Right now I'm operating under the assumption that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is...
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby tractorman » Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:36 am

I don't have any personal experience with them (I avoid them), but this site seems to give some good info...

http://rg.ancients.info/guide/toning.html
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby rksgto » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:04 am

I have noticed to it seems PCGS seem to grade more toned coins than NGC, don't know if Ngc stays away for them or it all in my head... I sure like them
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby barrytrot » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:05 pm

rksgto wrote:I have noticed to it seems PCGS seem to grade more toned coins than NGC, don't know if Ngc stays away for them or it all in my head... I sure like them


Both firms will grade them if they are "market acceptable". PCGS has better standards in general which is why you probably see more of them: they command a MUCH higher premium.

A toned PCGS coin is worth it's weight in gold, even if it's not gold :)

While a toned NGC coin, even the same coin, would go for substantially less.


So if someone has a nicely legitimately toned coin they are naturally going for the MUCH higher pricing!
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Rodebaugh » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:29 pm

barrytrot wrote:
rksgto wrote:I have noticed to it seems PCGS seem to grade more toned coins than NGC, don't know if Ngc stays away for them or it all in my head... I sure like them


Both firms will grade them if they are "market acceptable". PCGS has better standards in general which is why you probably see more of them: they command a MUCH higher premium.

A toned PCGS coin is worth it's weight in gold, even if it's not gold :)

While a toned NGC coin, even the same coin, would go for substantially less.


So if someone has a nicely legitimately toned coin they are naturally going for the MUCH higher pricing!


Couldn't have said it better myself.

So what series are you looking at Engineer?
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Engineer » Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:34 pm

Rodebaugh wrote:So what series are you looking at Engineer?


I've mostly been playing with dimes while I've been learning about coins, and I'm starting to focus on pre-depression Mercs.
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby barrytrot » Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:41 pm

Engineer wrote:
Rodebaugh wrote:So what series are you looking at Engineer?


I've mostly been playing with dimes while I've been learning about coins, and I'm starting to focus on pre-depression Mercs.


Dimes are a good choice to start with as they are mostly on the cheaper end and they exhibit better than average toning in many cases with lower than average premiums for the toning :)
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Rodebaugh » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:11 pm

yep, yep.......some super nice mercs and rosies out there with some AMAZING color.
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Engineer » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:49 pm

Rodebaugh wrote:yep, yep.......some super nice mercs and rosies out there with some AMAZING color.


I found quite a few just going through some junk bags. One would be hard to take a picture of because its a bit dark, but when you start moving it around under light the colors just jump out at you. The coin itself isn't anything special, but I know I wouldn't sell it for less than 5x melt just because I enjoy looking at it.
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Rodebaugh » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:54 pm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140722820319?ss ... 1555.l2649

My recent self submit. BTW I could do better off eBay for anyone that is interested.

Shameless promotion (because the RC discount) ;)
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Engineer » Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:00 pm

Its not nice to tempt me like that...
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby barrytrot » Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:30 pm

Rodebaugh wrote:http://www.ebay.com/itm/140722820319?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

My recent self submit. BTW I could do better off eBay for anyone that is interested.

Shameless promotion (because the RC discount) ;)


Good luck. Just be patient and you'll get close to your # :)

Also, for super-toned coins such as this you may want to consider getting the "TrueView" done by PCGS. Their photographers are terrific at bringing out the best toning and should net you a profit on the retail above and beyond what you'd get even with this.
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Re: Spotting artificially toned coins

Postby Rodebaugh » Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:49 pm

Good advice Barry. I may do this with a couple of coins.
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