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 Replies: 33 / Views: 12,200 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2187 Posts |
Before anything, just wanted to say this was for my own pleasure and the following coin will never be up for sale (and if ever, I will mention the artificial tone). I just wanted to experiment toning by egg method to see if it actually works. I boiled one egg. Right after I took it out (still so hot so I was careful), I cut it in half and stuck one half in a plastic ziploc bag. I then put the silver dime somewhere in the bag, not touching the egg. I also threw in a 2012 quarter but nothing happened to it. After that, I squished the egg and locked the bag. After letting it sit for about an hour or an hour and a half, I got this.  Only the side that was faced up in the bag toned. The bottom side didn't because none of the sulphur in the air was able to reach that side.  From the looks of it, I am able to wipe the toning off. Not sure why, but it looks to be removable. I got a small black stain on my hand when I touched the observe. Again, this is going straight into a 2x2 holder and back in my collection because I won't artificially toned coins. But to anyone who was wondering if this method works, it does!  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
Facinating.... There are some here that swear they can tell between an artificially tonned coin and one done legitamitely over time... I can't... but I love toned coins... Most of my silver coins are junk and BV type coins so I might try this on a couple dimes and quarters myself... and who doesn't like egg salad sandwiches right!
I wonder what other methods there are to artificially tone coins and what the results may create... anyone have any suggestions... this combines two of my favourite things... coins with science... always a fun time!!
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
2187 Posts |
Apparently you can mix equal parts of liver of sulphur and rubbing alcohol. Rub a bit on the face of the coin and light it on fire. It should let the sulphur get in reaction with the coin and tone it. Haven't tried it so if cannot comment, but I might give it a try if I can find some of that liver of sulphur
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
just be careful if/when you do that one you don't inhale the dust... I would recommend using a vent/vacuum chamber if you have access to one.. especially when you break it up.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
496 Posts |
I heard for copper,you place a damp coin in a manila
envelope,toss it sunlight,wait.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
This is why I don't care for coins with Post-Mint Damage (toning). The more they look like they just came off the line the better.
I'm quite sure that many artificially toned coins sell daily to gullible collectors, but I guess if they like that look then no harm / no foul. I DO find it funny though that people pay extra for coins that were sloppily handled at one time or another. There is a huge industry out there that makes specialized storage methods (encapsulated plastic, albums made with 'prime' paper, etc.), but if you want your coins to appreciate in value faster just stick them in an open-air folder (making sure you handle the coins first with oily finger), or just lay them loose on your kitchen table and make sure you spill some greasy food on them every now and then.
ok, my rant is done. :)
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
Attic: you have a very valid point... I love the fact that I can get a coin 40 - 50 years old and it looks like it came right off the press... and there's no argument that anyone has mishandled it at all...
I have some coins that have never been stored well.. the toning on them is that deep black that you can get on silver.. and to be honest I love it.. it tells a bit of the story of the coin if you ask me.
As for artificially toning coins.. some may do it to profiteer.. but I think many of us may wonder how others get such toning and how we can achive same/similar results.. I will be honest I am going to try some of these methods on my "junk silver"..given the condition I don't care if I even ruin a coin or two b/c it's only worth the silver content... but I think it would be a very interesting experiment to do. And who know then I will already have the supplies for 8 - 10 years down the line when my kids will start doing science fairs... for that.. it's a win/win .. no harm no foul..
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3234 Posts |
Interesting discussion on toning.
Some of my greatest pieces are toned and with what I would swear is original toning. If you get to look at cased dollars from the 71 to ~74 you will see beautiful rainbow toning on many. I melted most of them a while back because of the silver prices. They were amazing and always had been untouched as I received them from the Mint. It took many years for them to tone like that but tone they did.......
Many coins were dipped back in the 70's and 80's and you really can't tell as the bright frosty surface looks perfectly original. A quick dip and not to be repeated either....
Never heard of an egg having that quick effect...very cool...
... but I wouldn't expect it to rub off with a very light touch. Chemical experts here could fill us in on what's happening and some silver luster loss has to be taking place with that reaction..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
844 Posts |
A few years back I did oven toning on some random quarters, nickels, and dimes. (didn't get any pictures though) What I did was find some nice shiny coins, single fold a piece of aluminum foil around the coin, string a length of mechanics wire through the top of the loose ends of the aluminum foil and hang it off the oven rack. then bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes (it may have been longer, I can't remember). Take them out sooner and they'll be a golden color, longer will be more purple/blue. I had some fun, and you'll definitely be able to tell natural toning from this type of artificial toning. I gave them to my kids who thought they were sooo pretty. The ones I did were the clad just to clarify.  Edited by Jaymon74
01/13/2014 4:35 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
BTW, I don't have any problem with toning experiments, like done by Paulsz. Actually, if I had extra silver coins I might try some stuff too, just to see what happens, but my budget doesn't allow for me to buy any silver that's not needed for my collection. I might, however, see what I can do with some common clad coinage.
Would it be a stretch to say that ALL toned coins are artificially toned? Somewhere in the past, all toned coins had to be mishandled somehow to stimulate (create) toning. If toning was a 'normal' event, then ALL older coins should be toned.
I was into comics for a long time before I started with coins, and that segment of collecting is totally different. With comics, any minor error in condition (off-colored, non matching staples, wrinkles, etc.) dramatically drops the retail value. Here with coins, it seems to enhance values (toning, die cracks, clipping, etc.) I'm just having a very hard time changing my views on 'conditions' from one hobby to another.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
I see where you're coming from attic:
I think there definetly can be a case for 'natural toning' so you can't say ALL toning is manipulation. Toning simply can be a chemical effect that takes place over time given the right temperature, humidity and atmosphere the coin is stored in. Sulfides are a big component of this, hence why they are used in artifical toning coins.
I personally think certain toning is very appealing. I can't tell the difference between artifically toned coins and real ones.. but I haven't had the opportunity to put many side by side and compare. This thread has sparked an interest in me to do just that with some of my junk silver.. then I may proceed to some UNC or AU 50 cent pieces from the 60's I have lying around to compare the artifical ones to naturally toned ones...
The die cracks & clipping you speak of refer to errors the coin has incured at the mint. I find them facinating but I also personally feel error coins and error collections may be a current interest of many collectors. While it has gained a lot of momentum over the last while.. it could also fall out of interest in the general population of collectors as well over time...
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2187 Posts |
I will definetaly try other methods of toning, maybe with my higher end 60's and 50's quarters. I always liked the rainbow tone, so I might be trying that one next. If any of you have anything done, post pictures! I'd love to see the,
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Valued Member
Canada
250 Posts |
Very interesting post! Thanks for info.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3234 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
Are they toning like that in the ICCS flip.. or did they tone over time and THEN you put them in the flip?
Just wondering if any coins ever tone inside of a flip?
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Replies: 33 / Views: 12,200 |
Posted 01/12/2014 5:39 pm
