Metals Expert Please
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So i have heard this term used a lot. I know the look and that it is desired. But I would like to know from an expert how a silver coin from approximately 200 years ago acquires such a look. Clearly an au coin that has the grey dirt look did not come off the press that way. What were they stored in? How did a human create that look? Open air or open exposure to oxygen over many years? Cleary a method of storage was used.
Experts please chime in.
Experts please chime in.
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Comments
If that is the case, then I moust qualify that I associate this term with the Choice EF and better pieces that did not see any more than moderate circulation, and that have that heavy, dirty/dusty skin.
I would suggest, although am open to other thoughts, that many coins that are of the grey-dirt look were stored in paper envolopes for very long periods of time ... probably also then further organized in wood boxes. Also, probably just as many were left open (no holder, flip of envolope) in a drawer or wooden box.
Analysis of the surfaces of some of these coins indicates that a type of "fine dust" settled and/or adhered to the coins, consitent with gradual paper-deseneration "dust", slow outgassing of wood products, and typical dust that will settle over time on an open surface.
Just my humble opinion ...
It's a good question though, and I hope other thoughts are forthcoming from our more expert members.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242