How do coins get "toned"

BDP · September 26, 2003 7:31PM

How do coins get the rainbow colors on them? I'm not a coin guy but rather a paper money collector.

Thanks

coppercoins · September 26, 2003 7:55PM

By sitting too close to something with contaminating chemicals in it for too long. Acids, sulphurs, and other chemicals cause it...basically, environmental damage.

wingedliberty · September 26, 2003 9:22PM

Different metals react on a variety of levels with the environment, silver in particular, seems to be highly reactive. Oxidation and storage are strong variables along with other random events which are unpredictable. Every coin is unique like a snowflake. This is the reason so many collect aesthetically pleasing Morgans and other series. On Morgans, the toning is highly visible and makes a tremendous impact due to the size of the coin. It is hopefull that we can have you make a transition from paper and related quasi-numismatics, to of course coins, in the pursuit of ultimate numismatics.

braddick · September 27, 2003 12:37AM

<< <i>How do coins get the rainbow colors on them? I'm not a coin guy but rather a paper money collector. Thanks >>

It's God's way and we're not to ask.

On a "Need to Know" basis.

jeffnpcb · September 27, 2003 2:19AM

First you start with an E-Z-Bake oven and allot of non-petroleum based chemicals. Then you.............OOOPPPPSSSSSS!
Almost gave away the "SECRET RECIPE". Email Duke, he'll tell you!

Almost the same as the first two replies! Mostly Mother Nature and help!

morganbarber · September 27, 2003 3:22AM

I thought that Idaho had the best toners due to superior potatoes.

braddick · September 27, 2003 3:29AM

<< <i>I thought that Idaho had the best toners due to superior potatoes. >>

And poor cable reception.

Iwog · September 27, 2003 11:08PM

Almost all toning on silver coins is caused by trace hydrogen sulfide in the air. This corrosive chemical builds up a layer of silver sulfide on the surface of silver coins. Rainbow toning is caused by varying depths of silver sulfide, and is generally the result of how the coin is stored. The 10% copper component in most U.S. silver coins can also add color when oxidized.

For example, a cardboard holder with a plastic window will not allow exposure from the front, but will allow hydrogen sulfide to very gradually leech into the pourous cardboard and on to the coin. Since the hydrogen sulfide is used up in the process, the darkest colors will be near the rim while the centers are almost white.

How do coins get "toned"

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How do coins get &quot;toned&quot;

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How do coins get "toned"