Experiment Help

You might want to try the Taco Bell napkin experiment...go to the PCGS boards and search for Taco Bell. I can't put the link here for some reason.

I have a dipped out 1921 Morgan dollar that I'm AT'ing by putting in an envelope and placing on my window sill. It's taking forever. It's just gaining this slight ugly yellowish tone. I might have to try the napkin thing, too.

Taco bell napkins dont work, its a joke.

Another method that works on silver coins is to get a teaspoon or other suitable containerand fill it with motor oil. Put the coin in the oil, then using some sort of heat source, like a butane torch, heat the oil until it boils. You will get some really nice golden to light brown toning.

Oh yeah, weight of oil is your choice.

One other method is just to lay a coin on a sunny window seal.

Best yet, natural method though is to get an old Wayte Raymond album, insert the coins, then forget about them for a year or two.

I didn't think the Taco Bell napkin thing was a joke either.

I've had it in the envelope for about 6 months now. It could take years.

Why would a taco bell napkin work? What about a mcdonalds napkin. Really I dont think there is sulphur or anything that would provoke toning in them.

I know what taco bell napkins look like. But the silver kennedy I have had in a taco bell napking for the past 2yrs has not changed since.

I don't like the gas idea, since it's a mix of chemicals and additives, some carcinogens, stuff that could leave residues, won't be the same the next time you get more, and stinks real bad.

Grey (chemist)

Carl,
Since ive been have trouble getting any kind of nice colors what do you reccommend to get the best color on a clad coin?

In reality this is not an easy question. I've had some decent luck with household dish soaps. Placing a coin in that and allowing to dry on a table outdoors. The problem with this method is the dishsoap. Almost every manufacturer has a different formulae. Even the same manufacturer may change substances occatioinally. Even the same bottle purchased with another may differ substantially due to manufacturing processes with formulae tolerances in quantity.
The main thing is the coin must be fairly clean so that any oily type substances, your body oils for example, do NOT protect the coin from toning. I've had the hardest times with clad Quarters for some reason. Noting that Nickel, Silver, Copper like any metal, reacts differently in different situations.
Always remember though that the main ingrediants in such experiments is usually humidity and heat. If using heat, do it gradually so as not to leave burn marks. If you have any Alcohol you may want to try puting some in a can, lighting it, and holding a coin with a tweezers, run it though those flames. Of course eggs works well but it would be only the yolk that has the distructive powers.
Lay a piece of meat outside and place a coin on it for a day or so.