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 Replies: 17 / Views: 19,121 |
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New Member
Canada
21 Posts |
I have several proof quarters sets and many have started to turn copper colored. It is happening randomly and to all years from 1999 to present. It looks like a silver coin tarnishing but the coins are clad proofs. The coins are kept in a dry environment. I have attached a photo. Any help would be appreciated.  |
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Valued Member
United States
187 Posts |
Some sets I have are doing the same. I took the advice of some other CCF members, and put all my sets in zip lock type bags for the long term. Hope that helps.
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New Member
 Canada
21 Posts |
What is actually causing this, clad coins should darken not turn brown. Can they be cleaned and does it effect the value?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I also have some doing the same thing. Some in my Dansco's and
some still in the original holders.
For me it seems like just the silver proofs, not he clad proofs.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
Not sure what is causing this, but it wouln't hurt to keep them in airtight ziplock bags.
It seems to be a popular phenomenon, but no matter what, please Don't Clean Them!
Edited by noahs-numismatics
11/24/2013 9:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4587 Posts |
Copper Nickel CAN tarnish, not sure why some do and some don't. I third the zip lock bag, but also throw in a couple of bright shiny copper cents as sacrifices.
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Sophie once it happens it happens, you shouldn't try and clean it off as they'll just be worth 25 cents at that point.
Depending how they end up that toning can actually dramatically increase in the value. At this point I'd just keep them how they are and see how they turn out hoping you get some attractive ones.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
So sorry this happened to your coins. I spent my BU Statehood Quarters because they got a yellowish tone, which I consider damage. It's an unfortunate thing that eventually happens to all coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
Notice the toning is all facing towards the edge of the holder. This would tell me that either the cardboard or the coins are reacting with either outside air ( I am pretty sure the OGP holder is not airtight ) or the sealing process that "welds" the plastic together off gasses something that eventually reacts with the coins/paper. The end result is the tarnishing. Being that the plastic, as far as I know, that is used in the holder has been the same for a long time, I feel the plastic explanation is far less likely. One curious question...where you store the coins, do you also store coin cleaner like Ezest or coins that have been dipped? Reason I ask is that I have dipped some grungy impaired proofs I have found roll hunting and they gain a brownish toning just like what you show after a while from the dipping. If you store cleaner in the same closed space, that might be the cause
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
I am pretty sure the OGP holder is not airtight Theyre pretty easy to open usually so Id be shocked if they were. I cant remember the year they changed it but I think the new ones are designed to snap open. Even if they were air tight though theres a bunch of stuff in their with them like the colored ink. Obviously that doesn't make as much sense for just partial toning, but since its just the edges closest to the edges of the holder my best guess would be the air getting in is causing a reaction with something there. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Sadly, I am guessing the toning is the result of inappropriate packaging. Individual screw capsules would be better for the coins BUT
usually, the set is worth more than the total value of the coins that make the set. What is more important to you, the set or the individual coins?
You are either stuck with these sorts of questions to answer for yourself, or to re sell them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
I think the brown makes them look nice.
Theyre different.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1037 Posts |
Maybe the storage environment is not as dry as you might think. I recommend using some type of desiccant or silica gel to absorb any moisture, along with using zip-lock bags.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2311 Posts |
Don't clean the coins! It will ruin the value and make them worthless.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
I'd say you have a pretty nice collection of toners now.
It's the mint packaging and storage that causes the toning. None of the mint packaging is air tight. I store mine in ziplocks with desiccant packs....then I put those in Tupperware. It won't stop the toning, but it will slow it to a crawl. Ultimately, if you don't want them to tone further, you should remove them, rinse them with acetone and put them in airtite holders. Store the airtites in ziplocks and Tupperware too!
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
368 Posts |
has maybe value to collectors who like toned coins.. however personally I wouldn't want to save tarnished specimens. looks like improper storage led to this. really nothing to do now but to try and prevent them from becoming further tarnished. either air tight bags or cut them out of OGP and use airtight capsules..
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Replies: 17 / Views: 19,121 |
Posted 11/24/2013 8:21 pm
