Toned Coins

Comments

• BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,311 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 26, 2005 11:52AM

  Coins tone when the metal in the coin reacts with contaminants in the air to which the coin is exposed or to chemicals used in the manufacture of paper or canvas bags in which coins are often stored. Both copper and silver are quite reactive with certain chemical compounds and species like NOX [nitrogen oxides] and things like that. The most common contaminant is sulfur. The best toning is that which is allowed to form SLOWLY over long periods of time.

  theknowitalltroll;

  0
• TerrapinWill Posts: 848

  February 26, 2005 11:54AM

  Toning from coins being in bags, envelopes, etc is all considered NT..correct?

  0
• FC57Coins Posts: 9,140 ✭

  February 26, 2005 11:58AM

  I agree with Bajjerfan - I would also say that ambient moisture might also play a role, although sometimes it might be for the worse. The coin below was glued to a commemorative card, probably sometime in 1964. The card was covered with cellophane, and it probably sat in someone's drawer for a long long time - when they looked at their nice shiny coin many years later, it had turned all sorts of strange colors. Never dinked with or "encouraged" the best toning is that which happens over decades.
  
  

  0
• BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,311 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 26, 2005 12:03PM

  
  
  << <i>Toning from coins being in bags, envelopes, etc is all considered NT..correct? >>
  
  
  Yes as long as the intent of putting coins in bags or envelopes was for storage or protection or preservation and NOT for the sole purpose of imparting color to the coins.

  theknowitalltroll;

  0
• TerrapinWill Posts: 848

  February 26, 2005 12:10PM

  coins being in bags, envelopes, etc is all considered NT..correct? >>
  
  
  Text
  
  I'm not sure i understand what the difference is....

  0
• FC57Coins Posts: 9,140 ✭

  February 26, 2005 12:11PM

  Now we'll get into the argument of how can you tell the difference. To me, naturally toned coins, are those which, due to their metalic content and natural exposure to the elements or other substances contained in paper, sacks, etc, gain coloration which is natural to that specific metal. When you begin adding chemicals, heat, etc. to enhance the natural coloration of coins is when you start talking AT - and believe me - this is as tough a question as which came first, the chicken or the egg.

  0
• FC57Coins Posts: 9,140 ✭

  February 26, 2005 12:13PM

  
  
  << <i>I'm not sure i understand what the difference is.... >>
  
  
  
  
  Being able to tell the difference is a gut thing - you look at a coin, and you either know that it's naturally toned because of the way the color looks, sits on the coin, and has developed over the years, or it doesn't

  0
• TerrapinWill Posts: 848

  February 26, 2005 12:16PM

  i guess what i'm saying is what if someone put some original coins in a bag or envelope for a long period of time....for the sole purpose of toning them....would someone know they were AT??

  0
• BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,311 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 26, 2005 12:19PM

  Coins also tone in albums like this one did.
  
  Oftimes it is impossible to tell if the album toning is intentional or not. Only the person putting the coins in the album knows for sure.
  AT generally refers to the toning of coins with chemicals and/or heat strictly for the purpose of enhancing their eye appeal or appearance and in turn selling for more money.

  theknowitalltroll;

  0
• TerrapinWill Posts: 848

  February 26, 2005 12:29PM

  interesting.....thanks.....

  0