Toned coins, anybody like them?

[CarlWohlforth]

Silver and copper are pretty reactive. Unless coins are stored in perfectly dry and airtight conditions they will eventually develop a patina. Common storage methods result in typical toning patterns. Bags of Morgan dollars were stored in bank vaults totally undisturbed for decades. Some of the dollars that were touching the bag developed beautiful colors. Some in the center of the bag remained untoned for longer than usual.

Here is mercury dime I like. I've seen dozens of 1945-S dimes with this exact toning pattern. I believe they were stored in a cardboard holder offered as bank promotion. There was an opening where you could see the fasces. They remain untoned as they were not touching any paper or cardboard. Paper and cardboard often have sulphur in them which tones silver, mostly with the color blue.

[CarlWohlforth]

This is an example of a bag toned Morgan dollar. It must have sat in a bag for decades without even the slightest movement or shifting. You can tell because there is toning in the pattern of the fabric.

[CarlWohlforth]

From 1947 to 1958 the US Mint sold sets of uncirculated coins for collectors. These double mint sets were packaged in very cheap paper and cardboard. The chemicals from the packaging toned the coin, sometimes in very spectacular colors. Beware of "original" sets with coin that are not toned in typical mint set fashion - people often replace the nicest coins with lessor examples.

[CarlWohlforth]

Sometimes people intentionally store coins in situations that promote colorful toning. If these situations include chemicals and ovens there is absolutely no argument that they are Artificially Toned (AT). Cardboard coin folders often tone coins as paper products normally contain chemicals like sulfur. Coins toned by coins folders are usually considered Naturally Toned (NT). There is much argument over where to draw the line.

For example if you put coins in a folder, dampen it and place it on a sunny windowsill or on top of a warm water heater is it still NT? What if you add water with a few matches (containing sulfur) dissolved in it? What if you place the coin in a Taco Bell napkin and let sit? If you put a brand new, blast white, American Silver Eagle between folds of a Taco bell napkin it will tone rather quickly. When I tried I had nice amber and blue colors in a few months.

The certification services want to certify NT coins but want to reject AT coins. The following photos are of nickels from a mysterious source named the "Appalachian Hoard." This collection mostly contained War Nickels. These nickels have a bit of silver in them so tone differently than other nickels. NGC certified a large number of them, often giving them stars for exceptional looks. These were then sold through a well managed promotion which maintained high prices. I think they are beautiful but can't imagine any "natural" situation that would allow the development of these colors.

The following nickel was certified MS 64* despite the large gash on the reverse.

[PQType]

Here is from my box or 20

[ajia]

Is toning something you grow into?
I remember when I first started collecting....nothing but blast white would do.
After a few years I began to appreciate toning more & more.
Now I love attractive toning, though not all toning is attractive, even NT can be 

[CarlWohlforth]

I am photographing a neat toned nickel for a client. It has soft pastel colors. You don't normally see nice greens on toned coins. The attached photo gives you the idea but I'll update the photo if I get a better one...

[19Lyds]

Sometimes people intentionally store coins in situations that promote colorful toning. If these situations include chemicals and ovens there is absolutely no argument that they are Artificially Toned (AT).

Dang! So storing my coins in the oven at Thanksgiving time is a no-no??

[Bubblehead]

 

This is my very favorite "toned" coin.  Russ has a better picture of it, tho. 

I don't really think it's NT, but then, who am I?