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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,759 |
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Valued Member
United States
338 Posts |
I am starting to recognize artificial toning on some early silver dollars, half dollars, etc. Sometimes I can recognize it as artificial and sometimes I can't. In the setting of early coins it likely means it's been cleaned. Is there a sure way to distinguish artificial toning from natural toning?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
Quote: Is there a sure way to distinguish artificial toning from natural toning? The short answer is no. A lot has to be taken into account such as the age of the coin, potential and/or known storage conditions, composition, etc. It also helps to look at examples of artificial toning (AT) through different methods. Just like most things in numismatics, it has to be approached on a coin-to-coin basis and compared. Like science (because it is). 
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020 In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020 In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
Edited by spru 05/09/2017 03:17 am
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Valued Member
United States
338 Posts |
I think photos can be deceiving compared to having the coin in hand. I've seen photos of coins that look "artificial" while the coin in hand looks great. Perhaps, some sellers use filters or poor lighting that make the coin look doctored. On the other hand, poor photos could minimize artificial toning. So, it seams easier to distinguish artificial from natural toning in person.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I agree with paralyse . 
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CCF Advertiser
 United States
1533 Posts |
Any AT that involves contacting the surface with anything will not obey the laws of elevation chromatics. That's the first sign. The color distribution is not natural.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
This is a coin that I ATed. It took three months and the process was natural, but I induced the toning to happen.  
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
Quote: I think photos can be deceiving compared to having the coin in hand. I've seen photos of coins that look "artificial" while the coin in hand looks great. Perhaps, some sellers use filters or poor lighting that make the coin look doctored. On the other hand, poor photos could minimize artificial toning. So, it seams easier to distinguish artificial from natural toning in person. that may be true, but I think there is 0 chance that these coins are natural toning. The mere fact that one seller is listing dozens of like-toned coins is a dead giveaway. It actually seems that he is making sales, and getting decent prices. I can see why it is tempting to do that.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3058 Posts |
Quote: This is a coin that I ATed. It took three months and the process was natural, but I induced the toning to happen. Wow! That is a pretty quarter. If I saw that for sale, I would probably be interested...but I wouldn't be on the coins that that seller is selling.
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
This is a bit off topic (sorry) but I don't know much about toned coins. I don't much care for them.
But I was wondering: Do they continue to tone...forever? Do they eventually turn black? My silverware turns black if I don't keep it wrapped properly, so I was wondering if it was the same.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
You did a beautiful job TypeCoin!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
Quote: This is a coin that I ATed. It took three months and the process was natural, but I induced the toning to happen.
What method did you use Typecoin?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
Buddy: You bet.. Here's a before-and-after of a Peace dollar...one of only two coins that I have ever dipped.     And a scarce Morgan, 1899-O VAM 11A, that was left "au naturel"...  
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Quote: But I was wondering: Do they continue to tone...forever? Do they eventually turn black? My silverware turns black if I don't keep it wrapped properly, so I was wondering if it was the same. You are exactly correct. The same chemistry and physics apply to coins. Quote: What method did you use Typecoin? I stuck it in an old paper envelope and let it sit in top of my dresser for three months. It had recently been harshly cleaned, which left the surfaces raw and very reactive.
Edited by TypeCoin971793 05/10/2017 06:45 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
Quote: I stuck it in an old paper envelope and let it sit in top of my dresser for three months. It had recently been harshly cleaned, which left the surfaces raw and very reactive. Thanks I've got a couple harshly cleaned coins from when I was a kid. What type of paper did you use? A manila envelope?
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Thanks for the info. 
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