Scottsdale Bullion and Coin just got back from the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo, and we want to share this memorable experience with you, our clients.
This year, we chose to experience the show from the other side of the table, forgoing a booth of our own for the first time in years. Our Sr. Advisors spent a lot of time talking with coin dealers from around the country, discussing industry trends and challenges in today’s evolving market.
While most conventions have their busiest and best days on Saturday, the Long Beach Expo was bustling on Thursday and in full swing on Friday. Although the show features collectible stamps and sports memorabilia, the main dealer’s floor consisted of about 80% coin and precious metal vendors. Magic Johnson and Jerry West were scheduled to make an appearance on Saturday, so coin lovers elected to beat the crowds and come out in full force to buy and sell before the celebrity rush.
SBC started our Thursday at the Professional Coin Grading Service, or PCGS, booth. PCGS.com is a renowned grader of rare coins, so we were excited to talk to them. PCGS founder David Hall took a special interest in our “better dated” Silver Morgan dollar coins, and he spent some quality time discussing them with Mike. However, we worked as hard we played; SBC associate Chris Dickens submitted a recently liquidated set of Morgan silver dollars and Peace dollars to be graded. Once that was done, we explored the rest of the floor to see what it had to offer.
Iridescent Coin Toning
1992 $1 Silver Eagle Coin Toning
One of the major trends we found this year at the Expo was that iridescence, or iridescent toning, was very popular. Iridescence refers to the multi-colored, rainbow-like toning on a coin’s surface, especially silver coins. While most people are familiar with coins in their natural, or virgin, state, knowledge of these iridescent colors and the methods through which coins are changed can be very useful to the collector. An iridescent coin’s value is based primarily on the appeal of its coloration. While appeal is subjective and may vary from person to person, there is no denying the demand for these coins, and the premiums they fetch.
When first minted, all silver coins have bright, white colored surfaces. Over time, however, when left to their own devices, the chemicals in silver can turn a once-silver coin brown or even black. The interesting exception to this rule is that uncirculated, or proof silver, can often “corrode” the coin’s color in a very different way. In uncirculated silver coins, we often see beautiful, multi-colored hues after just a few years. Blues, purples, greens, or a combination of the three are not uncommon. The brilliance of these hues and the combination of colors often dramatically increases a coin’s value. While most new collectors prefer their coins to look exactly like the red book, veteran collectors often prefer attractively toned coins. Therefore, iridescent coins fetch a nice premium at shows like the Expo and in coin shops nationwide.
If you’re interested in learning more about coin toning or how you can get your hands on some iridescent coins, give us a call toll-free: 1 (888) 812-9892.