"wood grain" toning on British pennies

Doogy

I've noticed some pretty wild looking "wood grain" looking toning on British pennies lately. This seems to be pretty much relegated to GB pennies, and not US pennies for some reason. Can anyone account for why this type of toning happens? thanks!

Doug

olmanjon

Don't know what causes it, but I have some also on G.B. pennies. I like it--looks nice. I have several in a box here somewhere. Soon as I find it will scan it in.

Bmarkers

A lot of American Indian head and two cent pieces get that wood grain look.

Mesquite

Pardon me for posting lite-side here, but it illustrates the toning. I purchased this because I thought the toning was superb! You will notice that the toning streaks (upper left to lower right) are most pronounced on the reverse, but also show to a degree on the obverse (here running upper right to lower left). I have heard that this type of toning pattern reflects a less than thorough alloy mixing prior to the preparation of the planchet such that the alloy tones differentially as it ages. Sounds very reasonable to me.

Doogy

<< <i>Pardon me for posting lite-side here, but it illustrates the toning. I purchased this because I thought the toning was superb! You will notice that the toning streaks (upper left to lower right) are most pronounced on the reverse, but also show to a degree on the obverse (here running upper right to lower left). I have heard that this type of toning pattern reflects a less than thorough alloy mixing prior to the preparation of the planchet such that the alloy tones differentially as it ages. Sounds very reasonable to me.

>>




great input guys, and nice one there Mesquite! i hadn't seen US coins tone to the same pattern. I do really like the looks of it when they start to take on this tone, and the alloy theory sounds very plausible! thanks!

Doug

Hyperion

Ive heard it termed "marbling" ...like this?




I really have to re-image this coin.... it's common but I like it !

1960NYGiants

It's also common on Canadian Large cents, more so on the Edward VII series.

RareBronzeCollector

<< <i>It's also common on Canadian Large cents, more so on the Edward VII series. >>



I was goin gto say I've seen it mostly on Edward VII and earlier George V Great Britain pennies..... I had always thought that it was an impure mixture........

Unless we are talking about 2 DIFFERENT effects......

lordmarcovan

<< <i>This seems to be pretty much relegated to GB pennies, and not US pennies for some reason. >>

I've seen it occasionally on Indian cents.


<< <i>Can anyone account for why this type of toning happens? >>

Impurities/improperly mixed alloy.

7Jaguars

Actually, it is thought to be an incomplete mixture of alloy so that the alloy is not uniforn rather than an incorrect alloy.

ajaan

olmanjon

Whatever it is I likeeeeeee it!

lordmarcovan

I used to find it rather weird, and I still think it looks weird, but weird in a good way, now. It sorta grew on me, you might say. Didn't care much for it at first.