Undesired toning - What should I do?
Romankow
Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
I keep my coins in my basement, on my desk, exposed to the air, in a microfiber-lined tray.
Lately, I've noticed that some pieces are developing toning and spots. (See pics.)
I like to keep my coins open, exposed, so that I can enjoy them at a moment's notice (rather than keep them in airtight containers).
So, what are your recommendations for getting rid of the toning/spots, and preventing this from happening in the future? I don't believe in cleaning coins, so I want to proceed cautiously here.
- Can I use Weiman's to dip them? Will it remove the type of stuff that you see on these coins?
- I read about anti-tarnish silver cloth. Do you think that it would help if I put the cloth underneath the coins, as well as draped over them, to prevent this?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Comments
A coin collector's best friends.
I suspect anything you do to them will leave them looking obviously cleaned.
"I don't believe in cleaning coins, so I wasn't to proceed cautiously here."
Well ... you have a dilemma. The only way to remove the toning and spots is to alter the surface of the coins/ingot through cleaning. Irrespective of whatever euphemism is used, conserving, dipping, etc, it's still cleaning. You can only "get away with it" if the result is undetectable or market acceptable ... which can be challenging.
Leaving the coins exposed will result in more toning/tarnish after they have been "conserved." It's chemistry.
Want to prevent toning/tarnish? Don't leave the coins exposed to the atmosphere.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Might as well sell them and replace them.
Just creating more problems IMHO
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Sell them...chalk it up to experience and dues paid...and, in the future, don't leave your coins exposed.
Don’t clean coins, that’s a big NO NO in coin collecting. Coins are artificial. Just imagine if someone polished the oringinal Declaration of Independence because there was a little dust, there would be no declaration left. Better to leave it alone.
Unfortunately, if they are exposed to humidity/environmental contaminants (microfiber lined tray), temperature variables, etc., your coins will tarnish. It is environmental damage - though some people prize the effect. Keeping the coins in a non-reactive container will prevent most tarnish - except that due to contaminants already on the surface. Cheers, RickO
Since I've never had a coin tarnish in my home in my life (I live in the desert and always have) I can only assume that it's the basement atmosphere that is causing the issue. Maybe too high in humidity and you'll need to get them out of the basement or forever have this problem.
Putting the coins in something like envelopes won't help either if you leave them in the basement. Hope you can find a way to move them upstairs. We live in a more pleasant and less humid environments, typically, than basements. Silver is a reactive metal and will respond to wherever it is stored. Quickly or slowly it will eventually tarnish.
Good luck, no solution from me if you leave them there.
bob
I don't think dipping is going to make those coins look better, and all the more so because we don't know how the coins looked previously (were they white or just less toned?). If you don't like them now, I think selling and replacing would be the better option. A fair amount of this is likely due to direct exposure (contact with the surface), not just being in the general presence. Perhaps a happy medium would be to store your coins in flips. They're easier to take out than air-tight holders, but offer at least some protection. Or line the tray with a coin-safe plastic. But the more exposed a coin is to the elements, the more likely it is to change in some way, and as you've seen, you might not like it.
I’ve never found that air tights got in the way of viewing/enjoying my coins.
Definitely agree with the advice about cleaning or even dipping those, but ... aren’t those surfaces a bit messed with already?
It looks like all the coins were once cleaned or messed with and have retoned. Cleaning coins does help some but it's not magic. You can't add a better cleaner and restore surfaces. The best thing to do in this situation is encapsulate them and leave them be.
The engelhard is pretty.
As soon as I seen this thread, right away I thought, "W.W.R.D"?
What would RickO do?
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.Please don't clean coins....period
Dave
@ricko is the expert on this, and he has spoken!