Options
Artificially Toned Gold
Wahoo554
Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭✭✭
I really like toned gold. I’ve read several recent discussions regarding artificially toned silver and am wondering if anybody has any insight concerning artificially toned gold. If anybody has any good photos of AT gold, iodine or otherwise please share.
1
Comments
I have gotten burned on some artificially toned gold, and aside from the fact that I don’t like the appearance of a great deal of it, that has turned me off to the “crusty look.” I have photos of an iodine treated piece that I will post later.
Gold itself does not tarnish... the copper content in the coin will tarnish, often noted as copper spots. Discoloration can be imparted with iodine... that, of course, is AT or doctoring of the coin. Cheers, RickO
Go with patina.
Is there a definitional difference between patina and toning? I understand that pure gold does not tone in the manner that silver does, but that as RickO pointed out, the copper elements can tarnish. I see countless images of beautiful CAC certified gold coins with dark or orange toning that I understand may have been imparted by a wood cabinet or a leather pouch. Is that coloration merely the product of certain substances adhering to the gold over time rather than an actual chemical reaction taking place?
I've seen a few .999 gold coins from the US mint get purple spots. Not sure how that happens. I happen to love toned gold (most of them at least). Seems to be a hit or miss thing on this board though.
While I love toned gold some suspect it is at. Patina is safe from that and attractive. Old gold should not look like shiny brass imo.
Many of the alterations are sold as "dirty gold." IMO they are ugly and hundreds were sent in to be conserved before the "dirty gold" fad kicked in a while back. It is just like toning. Decades ago you couldn't find a tarnished silver coin, now they are probably 40% of the market. Give the buyers what they want is a very good way to generate profits.
Here are the photos I promised to post for you.
This 1891-CC half eagle was treated with iodine. I bought this piece thinking it was "crusty." It was "crusty," but the crust was iodine with flakes of it showing under a 10X glass. I didn't catch on to the problem until about a year after I had owned it.
I sent this piece to PCGS to for a review. They agreed that the piece has been treated. They offered to remove the iodine and pay me a settlement, or buy the piece from me outright. I chose to sell it to PCGS. Two big thumbs up to PCGS for backing their product.
The original grade was MS-62. After the iodine was removed the grade was MS-61.
Thanks for the educational post Bill.
Great stuff
The copper in gold coins can cause them to tone over time. It can be caused by storage mediums, or it can be the result simple reactions with the atmosphere. I have owned some gold coins for many years that were dipped or lightly cleaned at some point. Overtime those pieces have gotten back some of the toning that may have prompted the “restoration” in the first place. In my opinion these coins have improved over time, and they were stored in PCGS holders.
There is nothing wrong with light coppery toning on gold. In some cases it can be quite beautiful. In other cases when it dark or blotchy, it’s a negative in my opinion. Some of the heavily toned gold coins that some people have posted here are unattractive to my eye, but each to their own.
This 1842-C $5 gold was dipped at one time. It has slowing begun to darken, and looks better today that when I bought it some years ago.
This 1846-O half eagle has the type of coppery toning that I find attractive.
Thanks @BillJones I need to remember and check the gold.
Bill, from photo is there any way to tell crusty vs iodine? Or is a loupe needed to check for iodine flakes?
Flakes are one factor. The 1891-CC $5 gold had them. Also if the color looks "painted on" and not into the surface, that's a problem. Coppery toning is IN the coin; it's not just on the surface. That waht's having a coin processed to remove copper spots is often a waste of money. In a year or so there is good chance that they will return.
NGC, PCGS and CAC approved toning. Mmmmmmm, that's good.
@slider23 asked: "...is there any way to tell crusty vs iodine? Or is a loupe needed to check for iodine flakes?
I've not seen an iodine flake in my life. Maybe the iodine discolored some debris on the coin. Perhaps "iodine residue" might convey the look a little better.
I love that crusty look when it's original.
My YouTube Channel
****MISTAKE*******
Posted in wrong thread.