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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,966 |
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Valued Member
United States
216 Posts |
While going through my coin collection, I noticed that many of my CLAD coins in US Mint Uncirculated sets that I bought from online dealers are toned, discolored, or lack a bright finish.
I have not seen the same change in appearance on silver coins, in recent US Mint Uncirculated sets, or coins that I personally purchased direct from the US Mint.
I believe the US Mint changed its process for minting coins in US Mint Uncirculated sets. We've seen "satin" finishes for a few years and "brilliant" finishes currently.
I have two questions:
1. Is the cause of the coin discoloration based on: a) the metals used for the clad coins, b) the cello packaging used for the earlier sets, c) environmental factors to store the coins, or d) something else?
2. What years of US Mint Uncirculated sets are more prone to discoloration? I have the impression that sets from 1968 -2004 may be more prone because of the non-special finishes used and/or the cello packaging. (My sets from 2007 and onward look great).
Thank you in advance! Edited by Hidalgo
05/23/2020 1:56 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
The Mint has changed how they produced mint set coins SEVERAL times over the years, how they handled them, and what they were packaged in. Quality can vary all over the place. Personally, with the exception of the 2005 to 2010 satin finish issues, I would consider them to have gotten pretty much the same handling as the regular business strike coins. I think the blister packs they started using in I think 1999 probably protect the coins a little better. But if the surfaces got contaminated before packaging they can still discolor.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7276 Posts |
I have a few uncirculated sets and it's much more how they are stored then the package. Mine look like the day they left the mint.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
992 Posts |
The early mint sets (47-58) can come spectacularly toned due the packaging.
for the later sets, I'd say it's how they were stored.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I have a few uncirculated sets and it's much more how they are stored then the package. Mine look like the day they left the mint  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2271 Posts |
Coins should probably be removed from all modern US mint sets and stabilized. Post-1984 sets are much less problematical however.
The worst sets are the '69. '70, '68, .71, '77, '78, '76,'74, and '75 but all the '68 to '81 sets are fairly bad.
Soak affected coins in 91% alcohol or acetone and then rinse and gently pat dry.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Valued Member
 United States
216 Posts |
Based on my personal experience, it appears to me that how coins are stored makes a difference on whether clad coins will tone, haze, or discolor. As I mentioned earlier, clad coins in my collection that I bought straight from the US Mint have not discolored.
I dont' know how dealers store their proof and uncirculated coins, but many which I purchased from individual collectors and some small coin dealers have shown the greatest amount of toning and discoloration with time.
Also, one post recommends that I dip coins to remove the discoloration. I thought that coin collectors, in general, recommend that one should not clean coins. Thoughts?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2271 Posts |
Quote:
Also, one post recommends that I dip coins to remove the discoloration. I thought that coin collectors, in general, recommend that one should not clean coins. PVC from the disintegrating plastic damages the coin. Its removal is imperative or in time the coin can not be saved. The damage begins as a light haze that can be seen under incandescent light but it progresses until the coin is dark and mottled. Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,966 |
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Posted 05/25/2020 6:45 pm
