Besides gold, what coin is least likely to tone?

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braddick
braddick Posts: 25,190 ✭✭✭✭✭
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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  • TurtleCat
    TurtleCat Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Of US coins alone... I guess I haven’t seen any toned (other than dulled) flying eagle or 1859 IHCs.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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

  • amwldcoin
    amwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Stainless Steel

  • dpoole
    dpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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...



  • amwldcoin
    amwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf You do realize Stainless Steel has been used for coins.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:
    Platinum and palladium

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

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 12:27PM
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,149 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,149 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 12:37PM
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    @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.

  • Kliao
    Kliao Posts: 5,802 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @NorCalJack said:
    Any coin that Ricko owns

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

    Collector
    Over 100 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 57 members and counting!
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  • TurtleCat
    TurtleCat Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

  • BryceM
    BryceM Posts: 11,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2020 1:26PM
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    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. :)

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • ThreeCentSilverFL
    ThreeCentSilverFL Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

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

    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......
  • Justacommeman
    Justacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    .

    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......
  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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 ... ?
  • BryceM
    BryceM Posts: 11,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • TurtleCat
    TurtleCat Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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!

  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks, was part of the Rich Uhrich collection. He actually did the looking.

  • Commencents
    Commencents Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
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    @BryceM said:
    The one in lacquer.

    I varnish my tarnished coins, lol!

  • Timbuk3
    Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Platinum !!! :)

    Timbuk3
  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,760 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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

  • braddick
    braddick Posts: 25,190 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Platinum first came to mind. Any of the PGMs should be inert and never tone, under normal circumstances

    My YouTube Channel

  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    BTW have any platinum or palladium coins circulated? I think of them only as bullion.

  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,760 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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

  • amwldcoin
    amwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • WillieBoyd2
    WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,410 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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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  • Oldhoopster
    Oldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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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