What happened to my MS-66 coins-silver to bronze

Ogden

I put my 46 s Washington quarter, in beautiful MS-66 shape, into one of the blue Whitman folders. It's now changing an ugly bronze. Anyone have an idea what happened? The coin has been in the folder about two years.

Ogden

itsnotjustme

Toning...

FC57Coins

The sulfur in the paper along with exposure to the air is toning your piece.

Frank

DHeath

Ogden,

I'll help even though your a cub fan. The sulfur in the whitman is reacting with the coin surface producing toning. Don't be alarmed. Attractive toning can greatly enhance the appearance and value of your coin. Unattractive toning can be removed later if you decide it's a problem. Some if not most collectors prefer a naturally toned coin to a dipped white shiner in anything except modern proofs. Hey, for the most helpful imformation I can give you, follow the link below.

Educational link!

lclugza

The Whitman Classic album isn't completely airtight. I had some circulated Mercuries tone all sorts of pretty colors near the periphery of the coin when they were in such an album. Of course if you used a cheaper Whitman folder with no slides and no protection for the obverse, the obverse will tone even quicker. If you don't want the coins to tone, put the album in some sort of a bag. I use Hefty One-Zips. An "Intercept Shield" bag (if they make such a bag) would probably be better for more valuable coin sets.