Define AT for the rest of us newbies and the process

Abaco24

Please enlighten us!

Cladiator

AT = artificially toned.

When someone takes a coin and subjects it to any of the myriad of methods to change the color of the coin. It's usually done by unscrupulous scoundrels that try to sell these coins at a great premium for their color. A coin that has NATURALLY occuring monster color toning will most often demand high premiums as there is a large base of collectors that seek toners.

Abaco24

Undersatnd the toning part for value, what is the clorox and baking reference? What other methods are used to AT?

coppercoins

Problem is, many people (including many here) can't tell the difference if its done well. Only the blatant is obvious to many, the subtle is obvious to only a very few.

Cladiator

coppercoins is dead on. A well done AT coin can go un-noticed and I'm sure there are MANY of them out there.

Abaco24

Not that I want to take up the practice but what are some of the methods?

BAJJERFAN

A pic is worth a 1000 words.

Sotty

The easiest coins to AT are the clads.Take any clad or nickel, clean it with acetone or rubbing alcohol to rid of all greese or crud.Put on a cookie sheet in an oven at 350 and monitor.First the coin turns a golden color, then brilliant shades of fuscia and blue.
Darkening cleaned circulated silver coins can be darkened with dipping in clorox then rinsing to stop the process.Getting rid of light hairlines on a circulated silver coin is fairly easy.Soak in clorox till it turns dark brown or black, take out and rince, then soak in amonia till the coin turns a light beige.Use your fingers and rub down with baking soda.Repeat process if necessary.Once hairlines are gone, darken the coin lightly with clorox or sulpher, then let set out in the air to NT tone.

pharmer

So, Sotty, are you a seller on ebay? If so, what's your handle? Thanks.

marmac

Great information Sotty

Even better question pharmer!

lloydmincy

I've seen it in person with I think acetone poured on it, (a nickel), and then lit on fire, and poooof!!!!! in a second, it was done!!! I was amazed. I for some reason can't remember if it was acetone or some other chemical. Going to double check.... A buffalo that was plain looking, turned into a rainbow in about 2 seconds. And it was no cheapie.

Sotty

No I'm not a seller on Ebay, but I have seen many toned coins that have been doctored that way there.Personally I only try to buy the modern BU stuff blast white or only the slightest hint of NT.