<< <i>That is what scares me about toning - that it is an intermediate step between blast white and black. I wonder how many of today's nicely toned coins will progress to black in time. >>
Again... the toning process ceases once the coin is removed from the reactive apparatus which caused the toning in the first place. Just be sure to store in a safe environment.
Therefore these one-of-a-kind color-toned treasures should be able to be enjoyed for generations.
Don't you think at this point that the value of toning is getting a bit overrated? Advertisers use way too many adjectives when describing the myriad of colors, the rainbows, the shimmering pools, the cascade of colors. An old silver tea set can be just as colorful, but in that case, it is usually a negative. Maybe we are not seeing the same toned coins and maybe the best ones are in hiding, but most of the ones I see today are unnatractive. Again, I don't think anyone in here would object to a lightly toned coin that does not detract from the design.
I see toning and luster as merely the means to an end. To find nice coins with orig surfaces with luster beaming through. If either is missing I tend to walk by. Dipped 19th century coins usually don't cut it for me. By no means is color the deciding factor for me. I go with luster first followed by marks and the overall look. Color and strike come last. But to get the luster I like, the surfaces usually have to be toned as it is easy to spot once or twice dipped surfaces where the luster has been dulled.
I've owned several fairly deeply toned coins that I purchased over 20 years ago. None of them deepened one bit in color or became unattractive in any way. Prior to slabbing they were stored in safe deposit boxes with metal-X or some other "odor eaters." Kept them in myler flips when those became hot. Then finally placed them in slabs. The only coin I've seen tone while I've owned it was an 1853 NA quarter in MS66. It was a stark white coin with just a trace of minute color on the edges when I bought it around 1994-95 out of Teletrade of all places. I believe it was part of the Ed Milas 1850-1855 mint sets that were all dipped out in the late 1980's. These were all dark blue and black coins as I was told. The luster came out pretty blazing. Now about 10 years later, the coin has light brown all over the surfaces and deeper near the edges. Not unattractive but not attractive either. Obviously this one still had reactive surfaces once slabbed. I have a few other white coins and none of those have toned since slabbing.
<< <i> I've owned several fairly deeply toned coins that I purchased over 20 years ago. None of them deepened one bit in color or became unattractive in any way. >>
That's very good information and definitely takes a load off my mind. I'm still not sure if I'd pony up the big bucks to get a glowing red copper cent, but it seems my silver coins should be safe in any case as long as I contune to be careful. Thanks for the advice!
------ "It is possible to keep a mind so open that it is perpetually empty." --Peter Huber, "Galileo's Revenge"
Copper, Silver and Gold (and I assume Platinum) all react with the environments in which they reside. A completely white coin (in the case of Silver) that is hundreds of years old is suspicious to me.
I respect those that only seek out the completely white coins. However, I seek out the coins that bring me joy. I have a few toned, a few with edge toning and various other types. In a hundred years, I hope the person that owns the coins that are presently in my custody enjoys them as much as I.
When will the toning enthusiasts realize that there are beautiful white coins with great luster? Sometimes I think their judgement is somewhat tarnished.
<< <i>Again... the toning process ceases once the coin is removed from the reactive apparatus which caused the toning in the first place. Just be sure to store in a safe environment. >>
Dizzyfoxx, I have heard otherwise from knowledgeable numismatists, as well as from people with backgrounds in chemistry. Supposedly, once a reaction has started on the coin's surface, it can continue in the coin's new environment.
For this, among other reasons, I recommend taking precautions, such as using Intercept Shield products.
i personally think the toning on the coins is damaging the luster. But that is just common sense to me, considering the luster lies on the surface of a coin.
Sounds like Anaconda, who gets a b**er on a toner (censored 'cause a board member found it offensive).
As respects the article in Coin World, I'll take an original toner over a dipped white coin every day. BTW, the dipped coin must have lost more molecules that the toner, but who counts molecules anyway.
I'll take an attractive white coin any day over an ugly toned coin. I'll take an attractive lightly toned coin over an over-dipped ugly white coin any day. Get the point?
Comments
<< <i>That is what scares me about toning - that it is an intermediate step between blast white and black. I wonder how many of today's nicely toned coins will progress to black in time. >>
Again... the toning process ceases once the coin is removed from the reactive apparatus which caused the toning in the first place. Just be sure to store in a safe environment.
Therefore these one-of-a-kind color-toned treasures should be able to be enjoyed for generations.
I see toning and luster as merely the means to an end. To find nice coins with orig surfaces with luster beaming through. If either is missing I tend to walk by. Dipped 19th century coins usually don't cut it for me. By no means is color the deciding factor for me. I go with luster first followed by marks and the overall look. Color and strike come last. But to get the luster I like, the surfaces usually have to be toned as it is easy to spot once or twice dipped surfaces where the luster has been dulled.
I've owned several fairly deeply toned coins that I purchased over 20 years ago. None of them deepened one bit in color or became unattractive in any way. Prior to slabbing they were stored in safe deposit boxes with metal-X or some other "odor eaters." Kept them in myler flips when those became hot. Then finally placed them in slabs. The only coin I've seen tone while I've owned it was an 1853 NA quarter in MS66. It was a stark white coin with just a trace of minute color on the edges when I bought it around 1994-95 out of Teletrade of all places. I believe it was part of the Ed Milas 1850-1855 mint sets that were all dipped out in the late 1980's. These were all dark blue and black coins as I was told. The luster came out pretty blazing. Now about 10 years later, the coin has light brown all over the surfaces and deeper near the edges. Not unattractive but not attractive either. Obviously this one still had reactive surfaces once slabbed. I have a few other white coins and none of those have toned since slabbing.
roadrunner
<< <i>
I've owned several fairly deeply toned coins that I purchased over 20 years ago. None of them deepened one bit in color or became unattractive in any way. >>
That's very good information and definitely takes a load off my mind. I'm still not sure if I'd pony up the big bucks to get a glowing red copper cent, but it seems my silver coins should be safe in any case as long as I contune to be careful.
Thanks for the advice!
"It is possible to keep a mind so open that it is perpetually empty."
--Peter Huber, "Galileo's Revenge"
I respect those that only seek out the completely white coins. However, I seek out the coins that bring me joy. I have a few toned, a few with edge toning and various other types. In a hundred years, I hope the person that owns the coins that are presently in my custody enjoys them as much as I.
<< <i>Again... the toning process ceases once the coin is removed from the reactive apparatus which caused the toning in the first place. Just be sure to store in a safe environment. >>
Dizzyfoxx, I have heard otherwise from knowledgeable numismatists, as well as from people with backgrounds in chemistry. Supposedly, once a reaction has started on the coin's surface, it can continue in the coin's new environment.
For this, among other reasons, I recommend taking precautions, such as using Intercept Shield products.
thanks for the discussion all.
i personally think the toning on the coins is damaging the luster.
But that is just common sense to me, considering the luster lies on the surface
of a coin.
<< <i>That Trade Dollar gives me wood.
>>
Sounds like Anaconda, who gets a b**er on a toner (censored 'cause a board member found it offensive).
As respects the article in Coin World, I'll take an original toner over a dipped white coin every day. BTW, the dipped coin must have lost more molecules that the toner, but who counts molecules anyway.