The desirability of a colorized coin depends, quite simply, as who colorized it. If the color is added at the mint that issued the coin, it is considered an official issue and has numismatic value depending on its rarity. If the colorization was applied by a private mint as a means of raising the price of the coin the collectability is seriously reduced. A simple perusal of any online auction site shows that the bids for colorized American Eagle coins is low compared to identical coins that were not colorized. Australian lunar coins bear about the same final price as their uncolorized versions, because while they are colorized by the mint they are produced in such abundance that their value is not enhanced. Coins colorized by the Royal Canadian Mint, such as Maple Leafs, and produced in reduced number, hence are priced well above their uncolorized counterparts. In fact, both the Royal Canadian Mint, and the mints of Australia, the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint, produce some highly collected colorized coins.
Simply put, avoid coins colorized after production if you are hoping the colorization will add to their value, but do add colorized coins to your collection if they are produced that way by a mint. Generally, mint produced colorized coins are not general circulation coins, and are usually sold with a case and a Certificate of Authenticity. Those are very important in having your coins retain their value.
Of course, if you want your collection only for your personal enjoyment, collect whatever makes you happy.
This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author. Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.
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