How come some Saints seem orange ?

sumner1984 · December 1, 2003 12:45PM

I was looking at Saints today and I noticed some were orange and others were more billiant gold. Gold coins dont tarnish so what is the orange ? DHRC sells saints and in the coin description he indicates that the orange ones may command a premium. So how come some saints are more orange and why are they orange, what causes this effect ???

wayneme · December 1, 2003 12:48PM

my guess copper in the gold and metal after it's poured vary's on the cool down time as to it's look

rainbowroosie · December 1, 2003 12:48PM

Base metal content??

RYK · December 1, 2003 12:52PM

They grow on trees?

sumner1984 · December 1, 2003 12:53PM

I was just reading all the descriptions of David Halls Saints for sale and in fact some have blushes of pink and red also. Very interesting any way.At any rate I selected an MS64 , making sure it had a good strike, and it seems to have some blushes of orange or gold. PCGS of course, thats all I buy!

jpumper · December 1, 2003 12:54PM

RYK--lol

sumner1984 · December 1, 2003 12:55PM

They grow on trees ? .......LOL , we wish they did, imagine that, just pick them off a tree, and they are even already in the slab.

Newmismatist · December 1, 2003 1:00PM

$20 Saints are 90% Gold & 10% Copper - this alloy content can tone somewhat, & the toning is usually orangish, with sometimes a greenish cast - it takes a LONG time for $20 Saints to tone - 30-40 years, as gold itself is virtually inert and does not tone, only the copper reacts with the oxygen and sufides present in our atmosphere - so its that 10% copper that gives a Saint its toned look

XpipedreamR · December 1, 2003 1:05PM

This article is not about the case here, but is interesting nonetheless.

Gold coloration

sumner1984 · December 1, 2003 1:07PM

oh i see. its the copper that might cause some tone. my piece has no green at all. it does have some blushes of orange though. guess thats the toning. but david hall has some for sale that are pink and red. guess that is a result of copper toning as well .perhaps how and were the coin was stored over the decades prior to slabbing .

Blade · December 1, 2003 1:13PM

I have seen a Saint that was very pretty - greens, reds, pinks. It was only MS62 and Barney (who quit collecting after getting creamed in the toned Morgan market) bought it on eBay for $420. I offered hime $800 for it but he wouldn't budge. It was a very unique looking coin.

sumner1984 · December 1, 2003 1:15PM

Another factor in discussing the coloration of gold coins is whether or not a specific coin is in the "original state," which usually means that it has an "aged patina," much as would a carefully preserved antique, or whether it has been cleaned/chemically treated.
....aged patina is what i am looking at and what david hall is refering too, and that is good .

relayer · December 1, 2003 1:16PM

metal mix

trozau · December 1, 2003 1:18PM

The alloy used with gold dictates it's color inclination. Gold alloyed with silver will produce a yellow gold look that we are familiar with. When copper is used, a more pinkisk gold is the result. Toning of gold coins will result from the alloy used and not from gold. Copper would tend to result in an orangy tone. Silver would result in a shade of yellow.

Newmismatist · December 1, 2003 3:03PM

<< <i>The alloy used with gold dictates it's color inclination. Gold alloyed with silver will produce a yellow gold look that we are familiar with. When copper is used, a more pinkisk gold is the result. Toning of gold coins will result from the alloy used and not from gold. Copper would tend to result in an orangy tone. Silver would result in a shade of yellow. >>

Here's some info from a jewelry site that discuss the color and composition of various gold alloys:

"Gold color is created by mixing in other various elements with gold to create a gold alloy with various colors. . . . For more information regarding the percentages and elements used, see the chart below." Gold Alloy color composition chart

Note other metals can also be mixed with the gold to obtain the different colors - platinum & silver are two that will make "white gold"
copper gives the roses & reddish color - I once researched this because my wife wanted a tri-color braided gold bracelet & I wanted to make sure I wasn't getting silver and copper for the white and rose-red gold - (sometimes ya gotta be a bit skeptical ).

Deadhorse · December 1, 2003 3:57PM

<< <i>PCGS of course, thats all I buy! >>

Translation: I like to pay more than I have to. This is the PCGS board and I don't want to rock the boat.

Advice to a new guy, virtually everyone who posts here will disagree with your statement as far as what they themselves do.

If you haven't heard it yet.............."Buy the coin, not the plastic". Stick around, you'll hear it alot more.

dorkkarl · December 1, 2003 9:55PM

sentiments echoed - the copper alloy provides the mechanism for a gold coin's variable color.

K S

How come some Saints seem orange ?

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