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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,159 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
851 Posts |
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why fields of a coin tone differently than the raised parts of the coin? Check out this coin for instance. Why does one part go nearly black while the raised sections (probably not touched for over 100 years) remain untoned. http://goccf.com/t/320274I understand that contact with just about anything with an oily component can cause toning. But why the drastic difference between the toning in the fields and raised parts? Is something done to the metal in the minting process that affects the raised parts and prevents them from toning in the same manner? Another question: how strong and stuck is the toning? Not that I would do it, but if I dragged my thumbnail over the darkly toned section, would it scrape partially off? Is it fragile, or is it not? Does anyone have an old toned coin they don't care about too much that could try this? If so, take pics and show me. I'd like to learn something new today :) |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
This type of toning is known as circulation cameo. The toning was complete on the entire coin, and then it was put back into circulation. Since the high points received the most rub from circulation, those details show light against the fields which are dark.
No, there is NOTHING that could be done to this coin to make it better, shy of professional restoration, which would cost a lot.
No, I've done my time experimenting with cleaning and no longer practice it. It's been a decade since I experimented with "cleaning" or preserving or using acetone. Since then, I simply buy coins that don't need any of that.
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
My guess is that coins acquire their dark toning in the fields while they are in circulation. Gunk, dirt, and other substances cause the fields to tone darker, while the devices, on the other hand, remain clean because they protrude from the fields and therefore come into contact with fingers. When the distinction between the fields and the devices become so prominent like a proof, it's called a "circulation cameo."
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
851 Posts |
Great answers. Thanks. Makes complete sense to me now.
So basically someone saved the coin, kept it safe for a number of years, then some yahoo (an inheritor of the coin) spends it. It then spends a couple weeks in circulation and then gets put back in to a coin holder by a different collector.
Much appreciated.
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Valued Member
Canada
291 Posts |
Personally, I like "Circulation Cameo" coins. I think they show off the design details very nicely.
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'd leave it the way it is.
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Valued Member
Canada
291 Posts |
Quote:
So basically someone saved the coin, kept it safe for a number of years, then some yahoo (an inheritor of the coin) spends it. It then spends a couple weeks in circulation and then gets put back in to a coin holder by a different collector.
Maybe, but it may have also toned in a bank vault or something similar, and then re-entered circulation. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
851 Posts |
If you cleaned a coin like this, you'd take away its aged beauty. Just to be clear, I'll NEVER clean it. I think it looks awesome the way it is. In fact, I'd be happy if I woke up tomorrow and all my coins were toned like this one.
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,159 |
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Posted 06/06/2018 08:13 am
