Gold Coin Toning

dollardude · October 27, 2003 5:35AM

I was just curious. With all of the discussion lately on toning, do gold coins tone? If so, how? I only collect silver coins, and don't know much about gold.

Shamika · October 27, 2003 5:39AM

Pure gold does not "tone" per se, but there are impurities in gold that can give gold the appearance of toning.

XpipedreamR · October 27, 2003 5:40AM

I believe that it's the copper that causes the toning in copper-gold alloys

I know the GAE's also have a small amout of silver in them as well. I suppose this could be responsible as well in the case of GAE's.

Russ · October 27, 2003 5:40AM

I know where there is a PCGS graded MS65 Saint that is full blown rainbow toned. Some day I'll get my hands on it for imaging.

Russ, NCNE

dollardude · October 27, 2003 5:44AM

Thanks! It makes sense that the other elements, e.g., copper, used in the gold alloy mixture, along with any impurities, could "tone". Russ, I'd like to see that gold toner!

coinguy1 · October 27, 2003 5:44AM

Dollardude,

Gold is the least reactive of the metals used to produce our coinage. As a result, gold coins don't tone like silver, copper and nickel ones do.

However, some display an appealing orange-gold, yellow-gold or slightly greenish hue. Others, sometimes display some color such as pink / rose / red, due to impurity in the alloy. Many gold coins have "copper stains / spots", also due to the impurity of the alloy.

jom · October 27, 2003 5:48AM

<< <i>I know where there is a PCGS graded MS65 Saint that is full blown rainbow toned. >>

Is this one close enough?

Not rainbow but....

or

It's from the copper alloy I would assume and how it's blended at or near the surface of the coin. That's my guess anyway.

jom

dollardude · October 27, 2003 5:53AM

jom, that St. Gaudens has to be one of the most beautiful coins I've ever seen!

Shamika · October 27, 2003 5:57AM

HOLY TOLEDO!!

relayer · October 27, 2003 5:58AM

It looks something like this...

jom · October 27, 2003 9:10AM

Relayer: I saw a 1907 Indian Eagle that looked like that once except it was only around the rim. Cool coin....

jom

ClausUrch · October 27, 2003 9:44AM

Here's a nice Columbus 5$ Mod. Commemorative. The picture doesn't do the coin justice as the perimeter is a deep violet to the naked eye! (Sorry for the big picture

)

Gold Coin Toning

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