This guide serves as a supplement to other guides I have written about toned coins, and is intended to help you be aware of yet another dishonest practice that some ebay sellers are using on an unsuspecting buying public. I have mentioned already about how to identify real and artificial rainbow toned coins in another guide, and that if you are willing to pay a little more to the get the real thing buy certified rainbow toned coins from reputable sellers - ones certified by NGC, PCGS or ANACS. While this still holds true, I am alarmed at the number of eBay Powersellers with 100% positive feedback that are selling certified coins that have obviously (to me) been digitally enhanced to get a higher final bid price. We all know that the more vibrant the color, the higher the market price will be, and some sellers are juicing their photos to get more!

  Just when you thought it was safe to buy a certified coin, you still can get ripped off. Some scam artists use Photoshop or other photo editing software with varying levels of skill to alter and dishonestly enhance what they are selling. Since there really is actual skill involved in such matters, most enhancements are done very poorly - it is these that I will help to expose. Here are some tips to help you distinguish a spurious listing:

• Generally speaking, if the color of the holder looks natural, the colors of the coin inside is likely going to be close when you open up your winnings and see them for the first time.
• Look for photos that are grainy or seem to be overexposed. These are indications of manipulation. 21st century digital cameras are designed to give good results to beginner photographers right out of the box. Problematic photos are usually ones that have been played with, especially when they are photos of colorful coins with seemingly unnatural colors! Go to a coin show and look at some high end toners, so you can get an idea of what nature is capable of.
• Look for sellers who crop out the holder entirely, just showing the coin itself. While this is a nice way to present the coin (I do it myself sometimes, but I always include additional shots of the coin in its holder). Sellers who enhance their images do this so that there is no point of reference in the photo. Pretty devious right? Now you know....     
• NGC coins - the plastic that surrounds the coin is pure white, and while there are photographers who may not know how to use their cameras properly and are using the wrong setting, etc., look for photos that exhibit excessive yellow or blue hues where it should be white. Someone is playing with the settings, and I'll bet it the same person who is listing the coin.
• PCGS coins - the holder is relatively clear in appearance. Look for graininess and for holders that look blue, purple at the edges, or very dark overall. This is the result of altering the color of a digital photo, this is not an opinion - but fact. If you want to confirm this, do it yourself and see.  

  Sellers who offer a return policy might be a good thing after all, as you can return the coin if it does not match the listing. In my experience, if the coin I receive in the mail is even close to the Monster toned specimen in the listing, it is a keeper. It seems that for whatever reason, the policy for sellers of certified coins is that all sales are final, but some will offer returns, even if not stated. Ask before bidding. 

  Here are some images taken right out of current eBay listings from prominent sellers with good ratings. In the name of decency I will not name those who do this, so do not ask. Just learn to identify these traits, and bid accordingly. Coins with truly astounding colors really exist, and often command prices that are multiples of coins that have merely amazing colors. Picture number 4 is an NGC coin.

If you find this guide helpful, click on the YES button below. This helps the overall level of awareness for the hobby. Best of luck, Mike - mikesartifacts.