Toned $2 1/2 Gold

I believe when gold tones it is from the improperly mixed copper alloy in the plachet. The copper is what tones.

Love it. I cannot say that I am not jealous.
Friendly note- read up some on getting good pictures through a slab. Everyone has trouble with that in the beginning.

That is another nice looking quarter eagle

I also like those old green holders

That question comes up on every forum I post this coin on. I have seen 3-4 gold toned like this. Some people think they were kept in old leather pouches. Who knows. All were graded though, so the graders thought it was natural.

It looks like frying pan or blowtorch work. I torched the $2-1/2 scrap jewelry coin I recently got on ebay. It toned, but not as dramatically. I can't get a decent photo to show the effect. It no longer looks shiny and polished.

That type of toning is actually common on gold that has seen long-term storage in leather.

ET

jwitten
It is interesting, reading all the different opinions
you will get on a site like this.

I hear similar opinions all the time working at the coin
shop.

When I first read your post, what I picked up is that you
had this coin graded. You posted that the graders (NGC)
feel it is natural toning.

Most collectors do not see anywhere near the number of
gold coins that one of the top grading services see.
Or workers of large coin shops .. and collectors of
gold coins.

Of course toning on gold coins is not something you see
very often, but it does happen.

For me, I do think how it might have been stored has
a lot to do with any coin becoming toned.

For example I have seen some coins being stored in paper
coin envelopes. Some of these develop attractive toning.

Sorry to drag on ... just sitting here .. with morning coffee.

All I can say..

Having that coin, in a problem free, MS 62 NGC holder,
would fit well into any collection

EarlyTurban knows his gold.