Surface Detail of a Toned Lincoln Cent

rmpsrpms · June 18, 2011 3:59PM

I've been experimenting with side-lighting to better show surface details to highlight die varieties, and it's opened my eyes a bit about the surface changes that are caused by toning. The subject coin is one I've taken literally thousands of photographs of while adjusting lighting setups, comparing lenses and cameras, etc. The coin is one of many that came from an OBW roll, and each one is unique. It has a minor RPM. Here is what the toned coin looks like overall:

Overall photo of toned 1957D Lincoln Cent

Now here is a detail view with side-lighting to highlight the surface finish and details. The toning almost looks like it was painted on, and it has adversely affected the surface and removed much of the specular finish that creates luster:

Detail photo of toned 1957D Lincoln Cent with side-lighting

morgandollar1878 · June 18, 2011 4:02PM

That is a great pic, very clear and detailed.

ricko · June 18, 2011 9:48PM

Great pictures. Tarnish does indeed affect the surface, and luster is the first victim. Tarnish is, after all, environmental damage. Cheers, RickO

morgansforever · June 18, 2011 10:21PM

The obverse pic is spectacular, Mark Goodman quality.

rmpsrpms · June 19, 2011 1:04AM

Here is an example of a "fresh" 56-D RPM-1 (if you can think of a 55 year old copper coin as fresh) that still has that "mint gold" color, using similar photo technique. When I first shot the 57D with the side-lighting, I thought "I guess that's what the technique gives you" but the 56-D surfaces look more like I would expect. The 57-D doesn't look all that heavily toned, yet the surface looks like "flat paint" compared with the 56-D:

keyman64 · June 19, 2011 6:46AM

<< Here is an example of a "fresh" 56-D RPM-1 (if you can think of a 55 year old copper coin as fresh) that still has that "mint gold" color, using similar photo technique. When I first shot the 57D with the side-lighting, I thought "I guess that's what the technique gives you" but the 56-D surfaces look more like I would expect. The 57-D doesn't look all that heavily toned, yet the surface looks like "flat paint" compared with the 56-D:

>>

Well done!

Stupid · June 19, 2011 7:09AM

Spectacular images!

DorkGirl · June 19, 2011 7:18AM

CoinJunkie · June 19, 2011 7:34AM

<< Tarnish does indeed affect the surface, and luster is the first victim. >>

Not necessarily. I've seen any number of monster toned luster bombs. Sunnywood's Morgan set comes to mind.

<< Tarnish is, after all, environmental damage. >>

Not according to the commonly accepted definitions of those terms within the hobby and by the
leading TPGs.

ArizonaJack · June 19, 2011 8:46AM

Fantastic images !!!!!!!

rmpsrpms · June 19, 2011 8:56AM

<< Not according to the commonly accepted definitions of those terms within the hobby and by the
leading TPGs. >>

Seriously? Reminds me of "that depends on what the definition of is is." Just because someone says that 2+2=22 doesn't make it so.

CoinJunkie · June 19, 2011 9:03AM

<< 

<< Not according to the commonly accepted definitions of those terms within the hobby and by the
leading TPGs. >>

Seriously? Reminds me of "that depends on what the definition of is is." Just because someone says that 2+2=22 doesn't make it so. >>

Yep, seriously. "Environmental damage" is a condition which precludes grading a coin, ACCORDING TO THE TPGS.
Therefore, if "tarnish" == "environmental damage", no tarnished coins would be graded.

Surface Detail of a Toned Lincoln Cent

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