Answering some coin questions for my buddy @summertooth….

Afternoon everyone….

In reading my comments from my posts yesterday. My buddy @summertooth had a bunch of questions regarding numismatic coins. Specifically regarding the grading of toned coins.

Here is a screenshot of his posted questions in my comments….

His first question is: Is toning taken into account when a company grades a coin?

Both NGC & PCGS do not take toning into consideration when grading any coin. They solely grads the coin on the strike and visible wear on the coin.

His second question: Why would it not be a factor, or a bigger factor?

Toning cannot be a factor in grading because it is subjective. What some consider beautiful toning, others might think it looks horrible. Since there cannot be any consistency in such a subjective area, they do not consider it a part of grading.

Next question: Do they keep toning in the slab?
Can a coin that is not tonned aquire toning once slabbed?

There is no proven or non proven answer to this question. Personally all of my toned graded coins have remained the same since they have been in my possession. I’ve heard from some people saying different, but without proof I honestly cannot confirm or deny that they do.

Second part of question. Unless there is a crack or damage to the slab, once a coin is slabbed it should not tone. Milk spots are a totally different question and milk spots can appear at any time slabbed or not slabbed. The only other way that a coin in a slab would tone afterwards would be if it is subjected to extreme conditions on a regular basis. This is not very common with silver coins, but is very common with copper pennies. A beautiful graded MS66 RED can turn into an MS66 BROWN, if not properly stored. Which will kill the value of the coin by 30-40%.

Now @summertooth also made this statement. Which also needs to be addressed.

I'm looking at a lot of graded coins online these days and consistatly, the toned coins sell for 15-25% less.

That’s not possible or true….

There is a HUGE difference between a beautifully toned coin and one that has corrosion on it. Graded coins with beautiful toning sell for a very high premium over one that is not toned.

Here are a few examples that I just took off of eBay to show as examples.

These first two coins are graded and have absolutely gorgeous toning on them. They are selling at a huge premium over what a coin in the same grade without this toning sell for.

On the other hand coins that have crud and or corrosion on them absolutely sell for a discount. But expect and be prepared to take that discount as well if and when you go to sell the coin. People that buy graded numismatic coins are collectors. They rarely if ever buy a graded coin for their collection that has crud or corrosion on it. It would have to be a very difficult coin to obtain in order for a collector to add such a coin to his registry set. That is why they are sold at such discounts. Coin shops and dealers with crush you if you try and sell them these types of coins. Be prepared.

Here are two examples of crud and corrosion on graded coins that I also grabbed off eBay.

I hope this answers your questions buddy. If anyone has an additional questions pertaining to numismatic coins. Feel free to ask.