Natural or artificial toning?

[Nick]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

[Red Riley]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

OK, I'll go first with a classic bit of fence sitting of the 'I would need to see it in the hand' variety. What is the obverse like?

[Peckris]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

Looking at the way the blue is precisely on all four crowns, but has also slightly 'crept' over the raised top of two shields and contaminated a few random harp strings, I'm thinking it's probably artificial. Having said that, it's certainly not unattractive, but I'd want to see it in 6 months', a year's, time and check if it's still the same.

[Nick]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

OK, I'll go first with a classic bit of fence sitting of the 'I would need to see it in the hand' variety. What is the obverse like?

Here's the obverse.

[azda]

I'm going to agree with Pecks theory based on that the toning is sitting far to nicely on the shields etc. Its certainly not unattractive, just a little odd why its just on those raised areas

Edited September 13, 2011 by azda

[Peter]

I bought 5 (70's)proof sets over the weekend.3 sets are fine with slight toning to the coins but in 2 sets the cupro nickel coins were specked with black dots.The copper coins however are rainbow effect.

All sets were sealed and the card covers perfect.

Previously I believed all rainbow effect copper was artificial.

The cupro have been liberated so let the experiments begin the copper will be sold.

I picked these up at a postcard fair(which was advertised as a collectors fair)

The few coins available were either cheap or silly money

Let me say I had a good day.

[Peter]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

OK, I'll go first with a classic bit of fence sitting of the 'I would need to see it in the hand' variety. What is the obverse like?

Here's the obverse.

I will join Dereck on the fence.However it is very pleasant.

I wouldn't have any qualms in buying,selling or keeping it.

[Nick]

I would welcome your comments on this 1911 proof florin. Is the toning absolutely natural, decidedly suspect, or somewhere in between?

Looking at the way the blue is precisely on all four crowns, but has also slightly 'crept' over the raised top of two shields and contaminated a few random harp strings, I'm thinking it's probably artificial. Having said that, it's certainly not unattractive, but I'd want to see it in 6 months', a year's, time and check if it's still the same.

The picture was taken more than a year ago and, having just looked at the coin again, it is still in the same condition. However, the photo is a little misleading as to where the colours are contained. The cyan occupies all of the periphery of the coin and the orange and crimson everywhere inside that.

I'll see if I can get a photo to show that.

[Nick]

The picture was taken more than a year ago and, having just looked at the coin again, it is still in the same condition. However, the photo is a little misleading as to where the colours are contained. The cyan occupies all of the periphery of the coin and the orange and crimson everywhere inside that.

I'll see if I can get a photo to show that.

Here's a low contrast photo with the reflected light angled straight into the camera. It does at least show the full extent of the toning.

[Peckris]

I bought 5 (70's)proof sets over the weekend.3 sets are fine with slight toning to the coins but in 2 sets the cupro nickel coins were specked with black dots.The copper coins however are rainbow effect.

All sets were sealed and the card covers perfect.

Previously I believed all rainbow effect copper was artificial.

The cupro have been liberated so let the experiments begin the copper will be sold.

I picked these up at a postcard fair(which was advertised as a collectors fair)

The few coins available were either cheap or silly money

Let me say I had a good day.

"Antiques and Collectables", often in the SW? Glenn Ogden present?

[Colin G.]

I will join Dereck on the fence.However it is very pleasant.

I wouldn't have any qualms in buying,selling or keeping it.

I am jumping into your camp as well and would echo your comments entirely!!

[Peter]

I bought 5 (70's)proof sets over the weekend.3 sets are fine with slight toning to the coins but in 2 sets the cupro nickel coins were specked with black dots.The copper coins however are rainbow effect.

All sets were sealed and the card covers perfect.

Previously I believed all rainbow effect copper was artificial.

The cupro have been liberated so let the experiments begin the copper will be sold.

I picked these up at a postcard fair(which was advertised as a collectors fair)

The few coins available were either cheap or silly money

Let me say I had a good day.

"Antiques and Collectables", often in the SW? Glenn Ogden present?

Nope...300 miles East and up a fair bit.

I am aware of the one in Exeter though.

It was nice to see brisk business.I shall watch out for more.One seller was advertising that he also specialised in coins and stamps.

He pointed to a pile of collectors albums which held my attention for 27 seconds and that was only because 2 pages of cupro nickel shillings were stuck together.