It looks like black natural toning that can be caused by a heavy exposure to sulfur or a color progression of toning getting darker over a long period of time. It is difficult to say exactly what caused this dark toning unless you know the history of the coin. The dark toning on the coin is a negative for the value.
Thank you all! It is a weird tone I have never come across. Good to know it is probably not artificial. I do not want to clean it in anyway. I do not know the history of the coin.
Jbuck, I agree. To each their own, but I saw it for a great price, and the 1890s is not too common in a high grade so I bought it. I have never seen this tone before.
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