Naturally Toning Coins

Well son, sit back and read - the best I've ever seen is "books before coins"

Doesn't sound like it in this case. Sounds like he wants to try and set up an environment to tone it, that's natural. AT is things like baking it in the oven, applying chemical toners, blow torch ect. Simply putting coins in an album or on a window ledge is perfectly fine.

Silver doesn't automatically go to melt because of AT, just depends what it is.

PP, what you are proposing is really random chance. There may be some "helpful assistance" one may do to help the "environment" surrounding a specific coin but youhave NUMEROUS factors that can contribute to and as=lso take away from the possibility of "natural toning.

First of, you need to learn about metals. Their composition, their properties, rate of absorption (you go ...huh?), specific alloy content and purities PER AGE/PER SERIES. Older coins are made slightly different, materials vary, the refining techniques differ. Newer materials and processes applied within the last quarter century are vastly different, therefore logically there will be different results on say a 2016 ASE and a 1963 proof Franklin half. You see I just used an extreme apples and oranges comparison...size, weight , alloy composition, purities of metal content. A silver coin containing a .90 fineness as compared to a .999 fineness! Those other alloys react differently than a purer item, was the .90 stock actually tempered and refined correctly? What may have been the variances and tolerances of the 1950's as compared to the regulated means of computer assisted monitoring of the refining process of the 2000's? A lot of questionable variables I'm tossing out for consideration.

Now, take older coins. Even those in sealed mint sets, say from 1958-1964. I've been seeing and handling a few hr=ere recently. Let me give you a couple observations. Thes sets are still in mint cello, in envelopes even. some are still "sealed" as original (They licked the tip of the flap to hold shut), others have been opened to inspect contents from previous owners. Most all show very little "toning" other than a slight dulling look. It matters little to the climate apparently, these are all over the US, most have languished in old brick and mortar shops. The envelopes may show some wear, dirty/smokey, even water stained, but the contents are unaffected. the only one that was a disaster, was a 64 proof set that the sealing edge had run over the half and quarter, they turned a copper orange color of corrosion because apparently there were pinholes in the seal..BTW, this was a sealed envelope, never been inspected.

Which leads me to a final point. You do know what "toning" actually indicates I hope. It is the degradation process of corrosive effect upon metal. This is a process, ending in rust, dust, infected Bronze disease, and blackened tarnishing the end stage. So enjoy your Rainbow toning of today, for in 50 years unless correctly retarded will become darker and sometimes uglier.


Also, BTW, please ignore the posting about toning you coins by the jar process, you may indeed harm yourself or others and there is no guarantee it would do any good effect other than stink up the house and have your folks kick your behind out!

Thank you Crazyb0, I am actually really into chemistry and metallurgy. I also love to research verious topics, from comic books, to medical conditions, to science. So my point is, I do my research. Also I will be doing this to 95% copper pennies, and some junk silver (and a MS 60 1955 quarter from the YN auction). Although I have found a couple of some decent toning on 1990's pennies and even some 2000's pennies.

crazyb0, you again took the words out of my mouth. I would never pay a penny over the regular worth of a coin which has toning.

Whether something is "market acceptable" is inextricably linked to profit, so I have to say that this topic does not address that, and has not requested any input on it.

Rather than using "artificial" or "natural", I suggest "intentional" and "unintentional". OP suggests creating an atmosphere similar to those in which many a silver coin was toned without purpose (unintentional).

We now can attempt to recreate the environment that those lovely toned coins were in for decades. I don't think trying that makes them AT. The process is the same. Intentional? Maybe not...

You've got it! Based on the OP's suggestions, however, it is impossible to determine one from the other with certainty. However, I feel that the taboos surrounding even the idea of "Artificial Toning" stem from two distinct factors:

1.) Was the toning created intentionally?
2.) Has the coin been compromised? Is it now at risk to rot away with time?

I relate to the purists and the rationalists equally. In the long run, I've come to the following conclusions (regarding toning):

#1: Coin conservation is the first priority.
#2: If priority #1 fits, the next priority is personal preference/opinion in regard to intentional vs. unintentional toning.

My preference is unintentional toning, regardless of whether it was "natural" or even whether it fits within the "market acceptable" version of natural.

The strict goal here, however, is still conservation. That must never be forgotten. If one must experiment, throw away those coins when your experiments are complete.