Do steel cents tone?

klorineforbrains

Do they, and how?

Sequitur

Well, I have around a dozen PCGS-slabbed MS67 steel cents. None of them have toned like silver coinage does, and the true gems have shiny mint luster and look as though they came out of a mint set. When not properly cared for, I have seen them lose their shine and turn a dull grey.

ms70

I've seen some that look bluish.

Stuart

I know that they can rust, if the zinc coating is penetrated down to the steel surface.

semolinapilchard

I have a few in my collection with a nice, bluish color. I don't believe you will see the kinds of colors you see with other types of metal, though.

At least, I have never seen any

ss350camaro

Here's one they say has a blue tone to it.

GoldCoinLover

I have one with a bluish yellow tone.

airplanenut

I was asked to photograph this NGC MS67 early last year:






So yes, they do tone, although I'm not sure how this one happened...

MORGANHUNTER2

if you want it to tone a really nice blue- warm your oven to 400, place it in a cookie sheet with just a little water (humidity) for about 30 minutes. tried it- comes out really nice.

Sequitur

Here's a good representation of that dulling I spoke about. I wouldn't take these if they were given away:




Here are some worthless 1943s:



Here's one that's been cleaned/buffed/polished in some manner:

Shamika

I once saw an PCGS MS67 that had incredible blue toning. It was priced something like $300, otherwise I would have bought it.

pharmer

Jeremy, that is one cool steelie. I have submitted lots of 1943's to PCGS, gotten 67's, but never on one that is not lustrous silvery, and I have wondered what they thought of toning. Funny, they don't look blueish. Quick, what movie?

Jdurg

The Zinc coating on the 1943 pennies will give them a hint of blue in terms of their coloring. Zinc is a bluish-white metal (though not as deep blue as osmium is), and when it oxidizes slightly it will look 'blue'.

GaCoinGuy

I have one that is Pepsi blue. It was sent to me by a board member awhile back in one of those 3 coin, flip lid things......... was going to send it to be graded as one of my freebies, but it has a rust spot on the reverse.

MAD4MORGANS

I have one of those three coin plastic flip lid thingies (1943 STEEL CENTS WARTIME EMERGENCY ISSUE) and the 1943 D has a nice LIGHT even tint of blue on both sides. I've had the set for over 35 years. The other two are still bright (not polished looking) grey.

I don't have a camera good enough to catch the color yet but may have one next week.

Terry

etexmike

I would love to own a steelie with real natural toning.

Hey pharmer, was your reference to Spaceballs?

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etexmike

pharmer

Nope, thanks for noticing the question, though, we have a home version for you, Johnny?...

rainbowroosie

I've seen lovely toned PCGS 67s with green and pink hues....stunning colors, with STUNNING prices attached to them!!!