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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,214 |
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Valued Member
Australia
125 Posts |
Recently bought 1757 8R from reputable dealer who assures me coin not cleaned - yet looks too shiny for my liking. Under close scrutiny lacks any tell-tale minute scratch marks and even has very slightest mauve tinge(?)... but next to my other 8R's that are well-and-truly toned, this coin is an obvious stand-out! Now, maybe 100 years back someone cleaned coin with whatever; or perhaps the new storeman spruced it up then clean forgot  - Not funny, Les! Coin in question grades VF. Anyway, point is ... can some silver coins tone heavily while others hardly at all? Should I send the coin back? Thanks, Les Edited by Goodasgold
06/16/2008 07:52 am
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Moderator
 Australia
16826 Posts |
Quote:
...can some silver coins tone heavily while others hardly at all? Theoretically, yes. The black stuff in silver toning (or "tarnish") is silver sulfide; if a coin is kept away from all sources of sulfur, it could easily survive nice and shiny for centuries. Unfortunately, a surprising quantity of 19th and 20th century household objects contain sulfur: paper, rubber, wool, leather, some kinds of wood, some kinds of plastic... The easiest way to keep it sulfur-free is to seal it up in a relatively airtight glass or metal container. Still, I would've thought that a coin in "VF" condition would've seen enough circulation to tone to at least a pale grey, simply by circulation (human skin oil is another excellent source of sulfur compounds). Most silver coins that have been kicking around in collections for over 100 years have been cleaned at some point. Previous generations of collectors haven't been as fussy as ours about not cleaning coins. Personally, for coins that old, unless it's a really botched job or a very recent cleaning, I don't worry about it. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Goodasgold- yeah I agree with sap. When it comes to 8's, and especially when it is an old cleaning that has retoned, you are still ok. Maybe some dealers just figure that if the cleaning occurred some time ago and a lot of retoning has occurred, then it suddenly isn't a cleaned coin anymore.
And you have piqued my interest. So do you have any pics of it you can share with us?
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Valued Member
 Australia
125 Posts |
Thank you, Sap, for interesting explanation. Everything you said makes sense to me ... and especially the part Quote:
...Still, I would've thought that a coin in "VF" condition would've seen enough circulation to tone to at least a pale grey ... I've a couple of Aust florins showing a fair amount of toning and they're nowhere near the age of this 1757 8R. And I take your point, Archraz, regards cleaning done long before seems somehow acceptable(?).And have scan for you - but not really that good - objective just to show comparison with the other 8R's on the page. Actually, a faint colour tinge is only slightly visible..! Check it out: http://users.chariot.net.au/~villai...Page_45.html |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Goodasgold- thanks for the scan! And I must say that those are some nice 8 Reales!
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Valued Member
Australia
125 Posts |
Not a worry, and good news... seller now offers me an even better coin in exchange for the one I was unhappy with. That's what I call service!
Will send pic of replacement coin when it arrives.
Cheers, Les
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Goodasgold- great! I look forward to seeing it.
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Valued Member
Australia
125 Posts |
Edited by Goodasgold
06/23/2008 09:35 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Goodasgold- very nice coins! A wonderful set. Congrads!
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Valued Member
Australia
125 Posts |
Thanks Archraz; still fair way from complete, but happy so far with pretty basic 'Monarch' set.
Cheers,
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,214 |
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Posted 06/16/2008 1:46 pm
