One of the best comments I've ever seen ATS, made by TradeDollarNut

[James_OldeTowne]

I was linked this thread ATS by a friend, and TradeDollarNut gave possibly the best, most concise response I've ever seen:

 

Original, undoctored coins are better because... I prefer the wonderment of how it survived in such condition to the wonderment of how the doctor managed to make it look so good.

 

Your opinions, please?

[DC Dawg]

[font:Comic Sans MS]EXCELLENT LINE! [/font]

 

 

[Arizonadesertrat]

I agree with TDN's comment. This is precisely why early coins, like capped bust half dollars, are fascinating.

[MarkFeld]

I was linked this thread ATS by a friend, and TradeDollarNut gave possibly the best, most concise response I've ever seen:

 

Original, undoctored coins are better because... I prefer the wonderment of how it survived in such condition to the wonderment of how the doctor managed to make it look so good.

 

Your opinions, please?

That sounds plenty good to me. And I think it at least partly explains why some collectors (regardless of what they collect) are willing to pay very strong money for objects which they think or know are original, even if they look similar or identical to ones which are not original. It's not only about the appearance, but also the appreciation for how the object was produced and preserved.

[rrantique]

I was linked this thread ATS by a friend, and TradeDollarNut gave possibly the best, most concise response I've ever seen:

 

Original, undoctored coins are better because... I prefer the wonderment of how it survived in such condition to the wonderment of how the doctor managed to make it look so good.

 

Your opinions, please?

That sounds plenty good to me. And I think it at least partly explains why some collectors (regardless of what they collect) are willing to pay very strong money for objects which they think or know are original, even if they look similar or identical to ones which are not original. It's not only about the appearance, but also the appreciation for how the object was produced and preserved.

:banana:

[Doogy]

I completely agree with this sentiment!

 

In fact, that reason is one of the primary reasons why I migrated from US coins to British coins. British coins tend to be naturally toned, and sometimes with very nice toning! I collect the larger issues mostly, Double-Florins and Victorian Crowns, but I dabble in Shillings too.

 

What I've noticed with British collectors/dealers is two things; the coin has either been harshly cleaned, as this was quite common and accepted practice in Victorian times (especially the larger denominations, as people liked to show off their shiny coins) or have pretty much been left alone to age gracefully in a coin cabinet or some other dark space. I've seen next to zero evidence of blatant doctoring or AT'ing of these coin issues. Also, you can often still find these coins in old collections or estate sell-offs, as opposed to the common US (ebay and other places) scam of "fresh from grandpa's stash" and "unsearched hoard!" nonsense. Being that I can usually tell a cleaned coin from a natural one quite easily (especially when the Brits were quite harsh and deliberate in their cleanings), I'm not threatened by coin doctors in this realm of collecting.

 

I often look at my British coins, and picture them sitting in a beautifully crafted wood coin cabinet for decades, only seeing the light of day when their owner decided to smile upon them. ahhhh.......yes.......

 

 

[MarkFeld]

Doogy, thanks for a very enjoyable post. Ahhhhh

[Doogy]

Doogy, thanks for a very enjoyable post. Ahhhhh

 

Thanks Mark! This is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart as far as collecting is concerned.

 

I know I spitballed about British coins and their natural toning, so I thought I'd put the pictures where my mouth is

 

Here is a thread I started somewhat recently on another fave coin site of mine. These are all Crowns that I have either owned, currently own, or bid on and lost at auction (but saved the picture, because, I love pretty coins!)

 

Doug

 

click here for the coins!

 

 

PS: I'm sure most of you will understand that my point isn't to badmouth US coins being mostly doctored, there are millions of natural examples out there; my intention is only to show some beauties in their natural state from another country.

 

 

[physics-fan3.14]

Doogy - I agree. It is refreshing to go buy a shilling every once in a while, and find that it is attractive, original, crusty and pretty.

[MarkFeld]

Doogy, thanks for a very enjoyable post. Ahhhhh

 

Thanks Mark! This is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart as far as collecting is concerned.

 

I know I spitballed about British coins and their natural toning, so I thought I'd put the pictures where my mouth is

 

Here is a thread I started somewhat recently on another fave coin site of mine. These are all Crowns that I have either owned, currently own, or bid on and lost at auction (but saved the picture, because, I love pretty coins!)

 

Doug

 

click here for the coins!

 

 

PS: I'm sure most of you will understand that my point isn't to badmouth US coins being mostly doctored, there are millions of natural examples out there; my intention is only to show some beauties in their natural state from another country.

 

Doug, even I, as a U.S. coinage guy, liked those (thumbs u

[rbrown4]

A very appropriate response from TradeDollarNut and some tremendously attractive coins Doogy, thank you for sharing those.

 

Rey

[michael]

if you want to buy a shilling try a pine tree shilling