AT or NT and why?

[melmcbee]

Hey guys! I just wanted to ask how these nickels can look like this? I was just wandering around ebay and spotted them and was blown away by the color. I didn't want to assume they were AT just because the colors are so bright. I was hoping if I showed them here I could get some good lessons on this type of specific toning. As always thanks in advance for all of the help.

 

 

There are multiple listings of nickels with this type of toning. How is that possible (AT) I suppose but why does someone artificially color a coin if the grading services will bag it as AT?

 

 

[kryptonitecomics]

I am not an Expert in the AT, NT department which is why all of my toned Morgans are graded, but my take is.....AT.

 

I know that Proof nickels can have some wild toning becuase I have a few so that's not necessarily a dead giveaway, but those coins are what I would consider splotchy. By splotchy I mean that the colors don't flow from one to the next to the next in some sort of progression. This don't guarantee that they are AT, but it's one of the first things I look for, colors all of the coin with no flow or pattern. Once I see that I know that I don't know enough to tell for sure and I stay away. I also heard that Red was one of the easiest colors to fake so when I see coins with a lot of Red on them....I usually start to suspect that they may be AT.

 

As you can see it's not an exact science I follow and other probably have more experience and better techniques, but again I stick with certified coins when I buy toners.

 

As for why anyone would AT coins even though TPG will body bag them......it's becuase of the $$$$$$$$$ involved. A lot of folks don't know how to tell AT from NT so if they saw the coins you pictured and thought they looked nice, they would certainly pay more for them. Not everyone is into certifying coins so the buyer might never even know they were ripped off.

 

If they did actually take the time to send them off for grading, by the time they got them back it would be well past any return period so the seller still makes out.

[spy88]

Melanie,

 

It is my opinion that these Jeffs are AT. I've done several heat-treated Jeffs just to see what I'd get and they look very similar to those you posted. All I did was hold them over a gas flame. In short order, they start turning these bright colors but if left in too long, they go brown and ugly. And I suppose any small torch could also be used, maybe more precise for specific colors in specific areas. From the pictures, these Jeffs aren't proofs (because of poor strike detail) so the toning can't be attributed to that.

 

As for why someone would do this, I suppose it's just for the money. I don't think the seller is interested in whether or not they would ever get slabbed. The point is just to sell them to someone who doesn't know they are basically worthless after this process, regardless of the beautiful (or fugly) colors.

[Hoot]

Shake 'n bake, baby! Love cookin' them nickels!

 

Try it, you'll like it (TomB does).

 

Hoot

[James_OldeTowne]

The color on those nickels is suspect. But they do look neat!

 

James

[TomB]

They are definitely AT. People do this for $$$. No one will buy a generic MS or PF Jefferson for a few bucks on ebay, but someone will buy AT coins either out of ignorance or for the novelty.

[wam98-migration]

They are colorful and pretty. AT for sure, in my opinion.

[Bruceswar]

mel one of the best ways to think about AT vs NT.. First ask yourself how the coins got that way... Album? Holder? Bag? Endroll? etc etc.... then that will make you wonder... Also always be leary of non graded coins such as these.. If they were not AT, Don't you think the owner would have submitted them to get grades assigned to them and get more money.... and mabye try to get an FS Full Step Nickel out of it? Next thing I key in on is Bright Colors... With alot of Toning the colors will not be that wild and you will surely not see 4 coins in one auction with those kind of colors.... not to mention that seller has way to many colored coins for one person... Also look at some of the NT pieces posted here and you will notice most of them have uniformity... The color is not spoty for the most part... The color on NT ones seems to follow a pattern....

[jom]

 

jom

[Hoot]

Are those some of your work, jom?

 

Hoot

[jom]

I'd never waist my expertise on Jefferson nickels. How could you suggest such a thang? Hrumph!

 

jom