AT Experiment on 2 ASEs -- big pics & details
FrattLaw
Posts: 3,290 ✭✭
After reading White's book -- Coin Chemistry I became intrigued with how easy it really is AT coins, even coins still in their slabs. (that's the next experiment BTW) He described in detail about toning a raw ASE within 1 hour without using heat, but instead using sulphur compounds. Not being a chemist and not having any of the chemicals he described I wondered if I could do it at room temperture using regular household products.
In White's book he mentions that eggs & onions have high sulphur concentrations, so I decided in place of the chemicals I would use a mixture of eggs and onions to accelerate the toning process.
I chose to use ASEs based upon his comments that they are extremely reactive to sulphur based compounds.
First, I prepared the surface of the ASEs by giving them a quick dip in Jeweluster, neutralized in rubbing alcohol, rinsed in distilled water, washed in tap water, redipped in distilled water, patted dry and then dried again using a compressed air can.
I then hard boiled 2 eggs, 1 for each experiment. After boiling I added half of a sliced of diced onion, and 25 millileters of distilled water and mashed the compound up.
The egg/onion/distilled water mix was placed into a small holder and then heated in the microwave for 1:15.
The ASEs were placed into cardboard holders to suspend the coins properly.
Once the toning medium was heated, the holder with the coins and the egg mash were placed into a small glad food storage container immediately.
Here's pics of the coins before;
And at 1 hour in the container;
The 1988 ASE has developed a light golden tone on both the obverse and back within 1 hour. The 2002 ASE has developed some blotching golden toning with blue highlights.
Neither coin is attractive at this point by no means, but it is rather interesting that toning can develop this quickly without actually heating the coin itself.
I'm going to check them after the 2 hour mark. I'll continue to leave them in the plastic containers until they develop more color or stop reacting completely. More than likely because of the sulphur smell I will have to move them to the garage tonight.
I will continue to post pics as the coins continue to tone.
Any thoughts?
Michael
In White's book he mentions that eggs & onions have high sulphur concentrations, so I decided in place of the chemicals I would use a mixture of eggs and onions to accelerate the toning process.
I chose to use ASEs based upon his comments that they are extremely reactive to sulphur based compounds.
First, I prepared the surface of the ASEs by giving them a quick dip in Jeweluster, neutralized in rubbing alcohol, rinsed in distilled water, washed in tap water, redipped in distilled water, patted dry and then dried again using a compressed air can.
I then hard boiled 2 eggs, 1 for each experiment. After boiling I added half of a sliced of diced onion, and 25 millileters of distilled water and mashed the compound up.
The egg/onion/distilled water mix was placed into a small holder and then heated in the microwave for 1:15.
The ASEs were placed into cardboard holders to suspend the coins properly.
Once the toning medium was heated, the holder with the coins and the egg mash were placed into a small glad food storage container immediately.
Here's pics of the coins before;
And at 1 hour in the container;
The 1988 ASE has developed a light golden tone on both the obverse and back within 1 hour. The 2002 ASE has developed some blotching golden toning with blue highlights.
Neither coin is attractive at this point by no means, but it is rather interesting that toning can develop this quickly without actually heating the coin itself.
I'm going to check them after the 2 hour mark. I'll continue to leave them in the plastic containers until they develop more color or stop reacting completely. More than likely because of the sulphur smell I will have to move them to the garage tonight.
I will continue to post pics as the coins continue to tone.
Any thoughts?
Michael
0
Comments
After 4 hours I will post a couple more pics.
Michael
<< <i>At this point, my only thought is that the second of those two looks hideous and very obviously AT. >>
Jade Rare Coin eBay Listings
Ugly or not, the idea is to learn about toning and its principles.
Michael
<< <i>Ugly or not, the idea is to learn about toning and its principles. >>
I understand that. I guess what I should have said is, fortunately, this one won't fool anyone with half a brain for spotting AT.
Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
Michael
slideriders link tells me others have thought about AT & how to do it......which I think is perfectly normal as long as toned coins bring a premium, NOT to say it is normal to do it, just think about it.
Give us a progress report in the morning.
one of the best educational posts i have seen on here
the usual ........highly suspect/AT purple color variations from quick purposely induced sulfur toning ...........which are slightly different on 90% silver usa coinage
michael
Take lots of picks & update often.
Wonder what would happen if that storage container was floating in a 102 degree spa under the cover?
This also could turn into a good article for a publication that has the cojones to run it. You could describe each step, with the day and time, culminating with the Fleebay hammer. Your pictures also would be useful. I think it would generate a lot of reader feedback.
Some initial article titles: "Suspect Silver Eagles"; "Eggs & Onions With Your Bullion?"; "The ABC's of Homemade Sulphur"; "Mixin' Up Some Toning."
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
You should have over-lapped the coins to give it that "bag toned" look.
Doesn't rubbing alcohol have some kind of oil in it ?
Seems like pure Acetone would have been a better choice ?
-YN Currently Collecting & Researching Colonial World Coins, Especially Spanish Coins, With a Great Interest in WWII Militaria.
My Ebay!
My thought on the blotches, they could also have come from the propellant in the air can. That was the last step and most logical to me.
Doesn't rubbing alcohol have some kind of oil in it ?
Generally speaking, isopropyl alcohol is fine for silver coins (not copper). I've put lots of coins in alcohol to assist with a gentle cleaning, and there are no ill effects.
I do not believe alcohol has "oil" in it, but the chemistry experts undoubtedly will know a lot more about the particulars of the chemcial ingredients.
Overall, while they aren't EBay material as compared to some of the better known doctors it does show that replication can be somewhat easy. The results seem to match those of White in his book except for the fact that I used eggs/onions and it took 8 hours instead of 1 to achieve the same color.
As for variation in color, at no point in time was the color ever rainbow in appearence and I can assume the chemical make up of the eggs/onions might account for this. I purchased a rudimentary kid's chemistry set and will try other toning experiments with other sulfates to see whether I can affect the color of the toning.
I also purchased a old rattler PCGS Morgan, a morgan Capitol Plastics holder, a Morgan airtite holder and a 1960 mint set in an aftermarket holder that I'm going to use in order to tone the coins while located in a protective case to show that toning can continue to occur through those devices.
Michael
You give the Ebay citizens too much credit.
K S
You got that right Dog! I've also heard of people simply laying the silver eagles on a fresh piece of new wood in a sealed container and coming up with interesting toning results on them.
I took a PROOF Washington and Franklin from the 60s, an MS Franklin from the 60s and a 1878 silver dollar.
Put them in a closed container with a freshly boled egg which I had cut in half.
In 15 minutes, the coins were a real cool purple color. Not all of them were desireable to look at, but the PROOF Frankie came out pretty nice looking, the purple doesn't scan well unfortunately. Looks great in hand.