Well, here we are again, my friends.  Some folks think they've found the perfect way to lure unsuspecting collectors with a highly sought after style of coin......TONED coins......Please read on, because many of the coins on Ebay right now are ARTIFICIALLY TONED and thus withering the coins' value to nearly only face value!!! 

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     Many years ago, toned coins, particularly silver coins, were judged unattractive. Silver coins were "dipped," placed into a chemical solution that removed the toning and restored the shiny surface by stripping away the outer surface of the silver or the dirt.

     However, attractively toned coins have become more appreciated from an aesthetic viewpoint. A silver dollar with rainbow toning may bring a considerable premium because of its coloration. Still, coins that exhibit bright white, original surfaces are prized (although because of the speed with which silver tones, some question whether any coins of a particular age can retain their original surfaces). Coins that exhibit unattractive toning (referred to as tarnish) are considered to be of lesser quality.

     Because attractively toned coins often bring higher prices, some unscrupulous individuals (called "coin doctors") have devised ways of artificially toning coins. Some use the bluing materials used by gunsmiths. Others bake their coins in ovens using various substances to impart different colors. Some chemically treat coins.

     Novices will find it difficult to judge between natural toning and artificial toning. Experience is important here. An individual who has looked at a large number of coins will find that he can determine at a glance whether the toning is natural or whether it has been artificially generated. Collectors should not pay a premium for an artificially toned coin.

*The above excerpt courtesy of coinvalues.com

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Now that's you're a bit more educated on the history of toned coins, here are a few photos to help you AVOID artificially toned coins, and to help you make an educated decision when buying a toned coin.

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Here is an example of an ARTIFICIALLY TONED coin:

Note how there's a near perfect line separating each different color.

Also note how vivid the colors are, and that no original mint luster can be seen through the colors. 

Too good to be true?  DEFINITELY! 

AVOID THE ABOVE COINS!  They are Artificially Toned, most often by method of Heat treatment, 

which damages the coin's composition, making it nearly value-less.

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Now, Here is an example of a NATURALLY TONED coin:

Note how you can still see some of the original mint luster through the toned colors.

Note that the colors have no method, and no straight lines can be construed between the colors. 

Note how the colors are scattered and random, and are very subtle.

THIS IS AN INVESTMENT QUALITY COIN!!!

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I hope this guide has been helpful to you, and I hope you profit from it above all else.

Be careful out there - do your homework and you'll always come out a winner!

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