Please tell me what causes the difference in the color of Gold Coins.
1630Boston
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Can anyone here answer this question from a High School student in 1887 ?
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If they had internet, I’d direct them here https://raregoldcoins.com/blog/articles/coloration-and-united-states-gold-coins
Mr_Spud
@Mr_Spud
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Yes, Color, WTH!?
The short answer is gold coins, except for the modern piece that are .999 fineness, contain copper or sometimes silver. The copper in the coin can tone, and excess silver can give the coin a lighter color. Sometimes the alloy is not mixed well and the copper can show up as spots ranging in color from brown, to dark brown and even blue.
Gold is a "noble metal" that can resist chemical attacks from most chemical reagents. Copper and silver react to more chemicals and tone when exposed to the atmosphere and the foreign substances that might be close to those metals.
My only Charlotte example seems to be an exception from the 1850’s according to Doug Winter’s article:
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Coloration smoloration...
I have a few that show color. Actually I look for color when buying coins for my set. I would suspect it might have something to with the copper alloy in them.
Here’s some richly toned early gold:
Thanks for all of the gold pics above, I may have to get one someday
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I am not a fan of tarnish on silver coins...and I strongly dislike it on gold. I realize the alloys of silver and copper are subject to allowing this in some cases. I still don't like it. Cheers, RickO
Some real nice gold coins!
You must hate this one:
@Smudge .... Hate is a strong term, and not applicable to the situation. I do not care for the aesthetics of that coin and would not consider it for my collection. Cheers, RickO
While I suspect this thread was intended to discuss the variation of original color newly struck coins out of the different mints, I will submit my favorite gold toner. But of course these toned coins end up this way after time, not out of the mint.
Jb-rarities.com
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ex RYK
@Smudge I just bought the Cajun cousin of your crust bucket. Has some really nice color under a light.
Awesome coins in this thread!
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ag-Au-Cu-colours-english.svg
Other alloys do different things. 75% gold 25% nickel is often marketed as “white gold”. Gold is essentially inert but the copper and silver in gold can tone to create a nice patina. Some of what is shown above is staining or “dirtying” of otherwise normal surfaces. I kind of like a bit of color on my gold, but not too much.
These are “about right”, especially the reverse of the $10: