John...I was not in the least talking about how the strike looked. It was a grading discussion. Many of my strikes have toned beautifully, as you say, and I like them, however, if I was selling them on eBay or privately I would not advertise them to be in "Mint" condition. I would say there was coloration on the rims. When someone says "Mint" as the original question was asked, they mean brand spanking new with a shiny brass rim. As for liking strikes that color that is fine, but they are not "Mint," even though they may be flawless...Peter