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Besides gold, what coin is least likely to tone?

braddickbraddick Posts: 24,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

My vote goes for the 3c nickel. Strange how I'll see toned Liberty; Buffalo and Jefferson nickels all day long yet the 3c nickel is rarely seen toned?

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Comments

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Of US coins alone... I guess I haven’t seen any toned (other than dulled) flying eagle or 1859 IHCs.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Tarnish depends on material and environment.... Ideal conditions will tarnish most coins...Environmental protection at an early stage will prevent tarnish. Different alloys will tarnish at varying rates. Cheers, RickO

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Stainless Steel

  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Actually, 3CNs tone a lot. Usually a haze (acetone works great on them), but lots of them toned a cool blue (check out the specimen to the left here) in reaction to sulfur in the paper they were originally shipped in.


    Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...



  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf You do realize Stainless Steel has been used for coins.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @braddick said:
    My vote goes for the 3c nickel. Strange how I'll see toned Liberty; Buffalo and Jefferson nickels all day long yet the 3c nickel is rarely seen toned?

    Actually, it sort of seems like our nickel coinage is less likely to tone the older it is. Maybe it's statistical, but I handle thousands of Liberty and Buffalo nickels and it seems like I see more toned Jeffersons than Buffalos, more toned Buffaloes than Liberty, etc.

    I wonder if that observation is true if you look at ONLY true UNC coins. It might just be that the older coins tend to be more circulated resulting in a passivating oxide layer that results in a stable dull gray color rather than an unstable silvery color that then can undergo more colorful oxidation.

    Just thinking out loud...to avoid grading yet one more lab report.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    Platinum and palladium

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 12:27PM

    @amwldcoin said:
    @jmlanzaf You do realize Stainless Steel has been used for coins.

    Yes, although not in the US. Fair number of European examples. It just struck me as funny when the OP started with gold.

    It's funny how LOL has become derisive rather than a sign of good-natured laughter.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,946 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pat, do aluminum patterns count? If so, that's my answer.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,946 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 12:37PM

    @TurtleCat said:
    Of US coins alone... I guess I haven’t seen any toned (other than dulled) flying eagle or 1859 IHCs.

    They're around - both business strike and Proof examples of each.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • KliaoKliao Posts: 5,697 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @NorCalJack said:
    Any coin that Ricko owns

    :D
    Sounds like it!
    @ricko would you like to confirm it?

    Collector
    91 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 56 members and counting!
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  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @TurtleCat said:
    Of US coins alone... I guess I haven’t seen any toned (other than dulled) flying eagle or 1859 IHCs.

    They're around - both business strike and Proof examples of each.

    I figured there might be. I just haven’t run across any of them.

  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 1:26PM

    Aluminum is an interesting case. It is actually incredibly reactive and oxidizes almost instantly in air. The thin oxide layer is somewhat unique in that it forms an intimate protective coating that prevents further corrosion. So, it corrodes (imperceptibly) , but does not tone. :)

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Pat, do aluminum patterns count? If so, that's my answer.

    Their are non-U.S. aluminum coins. The OP didn't specify U.S. So, either way, I think aluminum counts.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dpoole said:
    Actually, 3CNs tone a lot. Usually a haze (acetone works great on them), but lots of them toned a cool blue (check out the specimen to the left here) in reaction to sulfur in the paper they were originally shipped in.

    If acetone removes it, it isn't the metal toning.

    That is an interesting "cool blue"

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • ThreeCentSilverFLThreeCentSilverFL Posts: 1,696 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BryceM said:
    Aluminum is an interesting case. It is actually incredibly reactive and oxidizes almost instantly in air. The thin oxide layer is somewhat unique in that it forms an intimate protective coating that prevents further corrosion. So, it corrodes (imperceptibly) , but does not tone. :)

    I believe that mild steel reinforcing in concrete does something similar, creating a passive layer that further protects the steel from the alkalinity of the cement matrix.

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 2:28PM

    .

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    .

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,843 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Pat, do aluminum patterns count? If so, that's my answer.

    Yes, aluminum was what I was thinking. Nickel was on my list as well.

    As for Zinc, it never gets to tone; it dissolves first. Has any one seen a modern cent, without its copper coating, that was nicely toned?

    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 ... ?
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,863 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have some zinc coins from WWII that a guy in France gave me many years ago. They're pretty interesting - they're decently large, but weigh next to nothing. Their color is plenty ugly too. If I remember, I'll take a photo tonight.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BryceM said:
    I have some zinc coins from WWII that a guy in France gave me many years ago. They're pretty interesting - they're decently large, but weigh next to nothing. Their color is plenty ugly too. If I remember, I'll take a photo tonight.

    Yes, the zinc German coins almost always have horrid surface conditions. Zinc is just too reactive. Any exposure in a humid oxygenated environment for very long just corrodes the heck out of them.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @oldabeintx said:

    @TurtleCat said:
    Of US coins alone... I guess I haven’t seen any toned (other than dulled) flying eagle or 1859 IHCs.

    Took some looking, but....

    Now that’s purdy!

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks, was part of the Rich Uhrich collection. He actually did the looking.

  • CommencentsCommencents Posts: 349 ✭✭✭

    @BryceM said:
    The one in lacquer.

    I varnish my tarnished coins, lol!

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Platinum !!! :)

    Timbuk3
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,884 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Timbuk3 said:
    Platinum !!! :)

    and Palladium!!! :)

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,851 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Pat, do aluminum patterns count? If so, that's my answer.

    Of course, although I was thinking of circulating coins in general when I prepared by question.

    peacockcoins

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,771 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Platinum first came to mind. Any of the PGMs should be inert and never tone, under normal circumstances

    My YouTube Channel

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    BTW have any platinum or palladium coins circulated? I think of them only as bullion.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,884 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @braddick said:

    @MFeld said:
    Pat, do aluminum patterns count? If so, that's my answer.

    Of course, although I was thinking of circulating coins in general when I prepared by question.

    Russia minted and circulated coins made of platinum.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I used to own 1/2 a dozen 19th Russian Platinum 3 roubles and they were toned to a degree.

    @oldabeintx said:
    BTW have any platinum or palladium coins circulated? I think of them only as bullion.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @oldabeintx said:
    BTW have any platinum or palladium coins circulated? I think of them only as bullion.

    There are gold-plated platinum spanish counterfeits that circulated. Do those count? ;)

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.

  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,275 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They should probably strike coins in magnesium so you could actually watch your money burn

    Or with mercury and they will melt in your hand.

    :)

    https://www.brianrxm.com
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  • OldhoopsterOldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WillieBoyd2 said:
    They should probably strike coins in magnesium so you could actually watch your money burn

    Or with mercury and they will melt in your hand.

    :)

    Nah, mercury is a liquid at room temp. Try Gallium. Melts at 86F/30C. That might be one of the few things worse than copper plated zinc for coinage :D

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4uuB2DXpt6Y

    Also look up "gallium spoon"

    BTW: a thoroughly useless piece of info that may only interest me. Even though gallium has a very low melting point, gallium nitride melts at over 4500F

    Member of the ANA since 1982

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