Age, and if I had to engage in wild speculation, different storage methods or materials in the late 19th century. Also, maybe more homes were heated with wood or coal (sulphur) back then.
Many sold to non-collecting general public that knew nothing about how to store coins.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
At least a fair number of these coins were sold in little leather covers, which would darken the coins if they were stored in those for a period of years.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@BillJones said:
At least a fair number of these coins were sold in little leather covers, which would darken the coins if they were stored in those for a period of years.
This is likely the answer. Anyone who has ever seen a silver coin stored in a leather purse is familiar with the dark patina.
There are so many of these and they were so inexpensive that they were carelessly stored in envelopes, rolls, and many were just released into circulation. Some were darkened like these from the leather distribution pouches:
This does not answer the OP's question, but I thought you might find it interesting. From the November, 1929 Numismatist club meeting report for the Dallas Coin Club.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@CaptHenway said:
This does not answer the OP's question, but I thought you might find it interesting. From the November, 1929 Numismatist club meeting report for the Dallas Coin Club.
Just wanted to add mine. I bought this from Dr. Bush's collection and the reason is because of its bright & lustrous centers while the outer edges possess delicious toning. I wish @TomB hadn't given up coin retailing. A high integrity and more than fair dealer is a good person to know. I hope he'll relinquish something else from his collection so I can buy it!
This is a great question that I have discussed with people who have been in the hobby a long time and are well respected numismatists. I have yet to come across a definitive answer but there are several possibilities and it could very well be a combination of different reasons. The silver used for the coins may have impurities that caused some coins to darken so quickly. Another reason may be the minting process including how the dies were produced and how the planchets were handled. Remember that toning, while beautiful (I own several toned coins) is a destructive process and all toned coins will eventually tone dark to black. The Columbians were the first commemoratives so they have had the longest time to react. I have a very dark Columbian but it has a velvet sort of sheen to it. I have not seen one quite like it.
Comments
Old age is one likely reason.
I’ll take #3
...go down to Columbia for a week or two and see if you don’t come back with a tan
Age, and if I had to engage in wild speculation, different storage methods or materials in the late 19th century. Also, maybe more homes were heated with wood or coal (sulphur) back then.
I always wondered if it was the original packaging (whatever that was). They also tend to have an interesting green toning in earlier stages...
Here's a couple I have. They both have color but really hard to get it to come out.
My Original Song Written to my late wife-"Plus other original music by me"
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A11CC8CC6093D80
https://n1m.com/bobbysmith1
Here’s mine that’s NOT dark. Obviously at some point it was dipped, but apparently gently enough that it merited a CAC. @ricko might like it.
https://caimages.collectors.com/coinimages/42396/37998718/08c5f09a-6802-471a-ac03-bd74ff893fc3[1].jpg
https://caimages.collectors.com/coinimages/42396/37998718/aca1bbf2-ccf3-465f-8495-3739578a0f8d[1].jpg
https://caimages.collectors.com/coinimages/42396/37998718/bb1ad44f-6937-47f3-a20c-27950a75e668[1].jpg
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Columbia, SC or Colombia the country?
Many sold to non-collecting general public that knew nothing about how to store coins.
This one is not that bad. I think it’s just a combo of metal mix and age.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Oh it will come out. A quick dip with the Weimans tarnish remover and they will be good as new. Congrats!
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
that was always a turn off to me but it is what it is. to each our own
But then Morgan s should have the same issue
Mine is kinda in the middle I think.
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
Baking soda, water and aluminum foil will take care of that..... Cheers, RickO
They were made and distributed 40+ years before most other classic commems, stored differently, distributed to a much wider population.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
They are one of my fav Commems. Many nice interesting toners. They were issued decades before most other Commems is one possibility.
Isabellas tend to be the same way.
Quite possible that the 19th century paper/cardboard had a much higher sulfur content.
You also see dark toning arising from leather coin holders. Although I don't know that is an issue here.
Yeah, I think I'm gonna crack mine and give it a dip.
.
Absolutely, I would in a heartbeat.
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
Morgans sat around in bags in bank vaults. They weren't used much in commerce, except in the west.
save the packaging for that guy who collects white labels
Either, ever been to Columbia, SC in August?
Looks like it may have already been dipped at some time in its past.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Some sat around in bags. Many made it into commerce. Far more Morgans were used in commerce than Columbian halves.
At least a fair number of these coins were sold in little leather covers, which would darken the coins if they were stored in those for a period of years.
see this thread
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/995858/post-your-silver-commemorative-half-dollar-with-its-original-packaging
This is likely the answer. Anyone who has ever seen a silver coin stored in a leather purse is familiar with the dark patina.
Original Pan Pacs will have a deep blue (albeit lackluster at times) tone that is pretty much exclusive to it.
peacockcoins
There are so many of these and they were so inexpensive that they were carelessly stored in envelopes, rolls, and many were just released into circulation. Some were darkened like these from the leather distribution pouches:
Commems and Early Type
This does not answer the OP's question, but I thought you might find it interesting. From the November, 1929 Numismatist club meeting report for the Dallas Coin Club.
I love the reference to "many coin celebrities"
Some real nice Columbians!!
Just wanted to add mine. I bought this from Dr. Bush's collection and the reason is because of its bright & lustrous centers while the outer edges possess delicious toning. I wish @TomB hadn't given up coin retailing. A high integrity and more than fair dealer is a good person to know. I hope he'll relinquish something else from his collection so I can buy it!
That one is the cat's meow.
edited to say the sample of your signature Black Dog lyrics are pretty contrary, to Catbert lyrics. LOL
National Commemorative Medals of the U.S. Mint:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/medals-tokens/national-commemorative-medals-united-states-mint-1940-present/alltimeset/195526
@abcde12345
Perhaps it is due to your dark glasses.
Not all are toned dark. I have a bright silver one but like my toned MS64 one that's pictured the best.
Deeper blue and red toning hues are pretty common on these too..
I felt this was a really nice example with sharply pronounced sail lines for what NGC called MS63 back in the no line soap bar holder days.
Not a common look, but not so rare either:
I really like BryceM's sample and some of the others in this thread, although mine is pretty much straight white:
This is a great question that I have discussed with people who have been in the hobby a long time and are well respected numismatists. I have yet to come across a definitive answer but there are several possibilities and it could very well be a combination of different reasons. The silver used for the coins may have impurities that caused some coins to darken so quickly. Another reason may be the minting process including how the dies were produced and how the planchets were handled. Remember that toning, while beautiful (I own several toned coins) is a destructive process and all toned coins will eventually tone dark to black. The Columbians were the first commemoratives so they have had the longest time to react. I have a very dark Columbian but it has a velvet sort of sheen to it. I have not seen one quite like it.