Toned Coins

[brg5658]

I usually don't like toning, but that is a beautiful coin. With that said, the coin would probably bring a better price with a quick dip to remove the color, and restore the coin's natural silver sheen.

Despite being of 'rainbow hue', I get the feeling that that coin is naturally toned. I actually like it, as the toning has clearly spread evenly inwards from the edge, which indicates storage conditions to me.

A "better price from dipping" is sadly probably true, such is the prevalent ignorance of buyers and the dearth of good old-fashioned dealer advice and education.

Worry not, there will be no "dipping" of this coin anytime soon. I like it just the way it is, and I don't really care if it might achieve a better price if dipped. Dipping ruins coins. By definition, it removes surface metal and luster. No thanks!

Lightly dipping a toned coin, only removes the corrosion, not metal...the corrosion itself (toning) is what removes the metal.... Heavily dipping (or cleaning) a coin is another matter.

I only use the term "dipping" to refer to exposure to an acid solution. No matter how "gentle" or how short an amount of time, the acid solution removes some metal microscopically, particularly at the peaks of the metal flow lines. These peaks are what we see outwardly as luster, and thus dipping actually dampens luster. I have never, and never will "dip" a coin in an acidic solution. That being said, I'm sure I own a few coins that have been dipped in the past -- I just don't want to try my clumsy luck.

The only "treatment" I have performed on silver coins is to remove PVC with acetone, with a subsequent rinse in distilled water.

[brg5658]

Here's another coin I find quite appealing, purchased from a dealer in Germany.

1946 Luxembourg, 50 Francs

[RLC35]

I usually don't like toning, but that is a beautiful coin. With that said, the coin would probably bring a better price with a quick dip to remove the color, and restore the coin's natural silver sheen.

Despite being of 'rainbow hue', I get the feeling that that coin is naturally toned. I actually like it, as the toning has clearly spread evenly inwards from the edge, which indicates storage conditions to me.

A "better price from dipping" is sadly probably true, such is the prevalent ignorance of buyers and the dearth of good old-fashioned dealer advice and education.

Worry not, there will be no "dipping" of this coin anytime soon. I like it just the way it is, and I don't really care if it might achieve a better price if dipped. Dipping ruins coins. By definition, it removes surface metal and luster. No thanks!

Lightly dipping a toned coin, only removes the corrosion, not metal...the corrosion itself (toning) is what removes the metal.... Heavily dipping (or cleaning) a coin is another matter.

I only use the term "dipping" to refer to exposure to an acid solution. No matter how "gentle" or how short an amount of time, the acid solution removes some metal microscopically, particularly at the peaks of the metal flow lines. These peaks are what we see outwardly as luster, and thus dipping actually dampens luster. I have never, and never will "dip" a coin in an acidic solution. That being said, I'm sure I own a few coins that have been dipped in the past -- I just don't want to try my clumsy luck.

The only "treatment" I have performed on silver coins is to remove PVC with acetone, with a subsequent rinse in distilled water.

And your point is?....just kidding... to each his own!

Edited November 25, 2013 by RLC35

[ChKy]

Here's another coin I find quite appealing, purchased from a dealer in Germany.

1946 Luxembourg, 50 Francs

The pity thing is, that there are hairline below the toning. Some silly person polished the coin with some brush or cloth

[brg5658]

The pity thing is, that there are hairline below the toning. Some silly person polished the coin with some brush or cloth

Nope, those are die polish lines, not cleaning. All of the 1946 Luxembourg issues of 20, 50, and 100 Francs have these die polish lines. Particularly the 100 Francs coin. None of the lines go up on the devices, and are "raised" on the surface (not cut in). This is a pretty common occurrence on coins of this era.

Here's the obverse of the 100 Francs coin purchased from the same dealer at the same time. No toning, but lots of die polish lines and semi-prooflike surfaces.

[Coinery]

I personally don't like the imbalance of the tone on this one! Balance is an important feature in my book, mostly derived from my interest in, and the vagarities of, hammered strikes (and tone of course)!

Maundy is one series which often exhibits toning of this nature, particularly if it has been stored in a case. The more undisturbed the set, the more likely it is to see one side more heavily toned from contact with the case. Picking up the coin, even by the edge will inevitably leave minute deposits at the rim which increases the chance of toning at this point, even if we are looking many years into the future.

I wasn't referring to imbalance fore and aft, I was meaning the degree to which the toning spreads inwards! It's a bit like an off-centre hammered strike, for want of a better word, though Peck has seen it as central!

Not instantly appealling to me!

[ChKy]

The pity thing is, that there are hairline below the toning. Some silly person polished the coin with some brush or cloth

Nope, those are die polish lines, not cleaning. All of the 1946 Luxembourg issues of 20, 50, and 100 Francs have these die polish lines. Particularly the 100 Francs coin. None of the lines go up on the devices, and are "raised" on the surface (not cut in). This is a pretty common occurrence on coins of this era.

Here's the obverse of the 100 Francs coin purchased from the same dealer at the same time. No toning, but lots of die polish lines and semi-prooflike surfaces.

Ok!!

[ChKy]

That is an elder scan made with a scanner I owned two years ago...

3 Mark 1915 A Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach, Jaeger No. 163

100. anniversary of the states promotion to a grand dutchy

0.900 silver, 11,11 gr., diameter 28,00 mm

toning is growing still... But i will never dip it

[ChKy]

I wasn't referring to imbalance fore and aft, I was meaning the degree to which the toning spreads inwards! It's a bit like an off-centre hammered strike, for want of a better word, though Peck has seen it as central!

Not instantly appealling to me!

natural toning starts from the edge and moves inwards...

[Peckris]

I usually don't like toning, but that is a beautiful coin. With that said, the coin would probably bring a better price with a quick dip to remove the color, and restore the coin's natural silver sheen.

Despite being of 'rainbow hue', I get the feeling that that coin is naturally toned. I actually like it, as the toning has clearly spread evenly inwards from the edge, which indicates storage conditions to me.

A "better price from dipping" is sadly probably true, such is the prevalent ignorance of buyers and the dearth of good old-fashioned dealer advice and education.

Worry not, there will be no "dipping" of this coin anytime soon. I like it just the way it is, and I don't really care if it might achieve a better price if dipped. Dipping ruins coins. By definition, it removes surface metal and luster. No thanks!

Lightly dipping a toned coin, only removes the corrosion, not metal...the corrosion itself (toning) is what removes the metal.... Heavily dipping (or cleaning) a coin is another matter.

I only use the term "dipping" to refer to exposure to an acid solution. No matter how "gentle" or how short an amount of time, the acid solution removes some metal microscopically, particularly at the peaks of the metal flow lines. These peaks are what we see outwardly as luster, and thus dipping actually dampens luster. I have never, and never will "dip" a coin in an acidic solution. That being said, I'm sure I own a few coins that have been dipped in the past -- I just don't want to try my clumsy luck.

The only "treatment" I have performed on silver coins is to remove PVC with acetone, with a subsequent rinse in distilled water.

Ah, then we've been talking at cross-purposes. When I (and many others) talk of 'dipping', we're talking about proprietary silver dip, such as that sold commercially by Goddards. That might or might not be acid based, but if so it's extremely mild, and after a 10 second dip the coin MUST be rinsed very thoroughly, then dabbed - not wiped - dry. That can expose the underlying lustre on a high grade coin with ugly toning. I've done it! and those coins which have toned back have done so beautifully.

[brg5658]

I usually don't like toning, but that is a beautiful coin. With that said, the coin would probably bring a better price with a quick dip to remove the color, and restore the coin's natural silver sheen.

Despite being of 'rainbow hue', I get the feeling that that coin is naturally toned. I actually like it, as the toning has clearly spread evenly inwards from the edge, which indicates storage conditions to me.

A "better price from dipping" is sadly probably true, such is the prevalent ignorance of buyers and the dearth of good old-fashioned dealer advice and education.

Worry not, there will be no "dipping" of this coin anytime soon. I like it just the way it is, and I don't really care if it might achieve a better price if dipped. Dipping ruins coins. By definition, it removes surface metal and luster. No thanks!

Lightly dipping a toned coin, only removes the corrosion, not metal...the corrosion itself (toning) is what removes the metal.... Heavily dipping (or cleaning) a coin is another matter.

I only use the term "dipping" to refer to exposure to an acid solution. No matter how "gentle" or how short an amount of time, the acid solution removes some metal microscopically, particularly at the peaks of the metal flow lines. These peaks are what we see outwardly as luster, and thus dipping actually dampens luster. I have never, and never will "dip" a coin in an acidic solution. That being said, I'm sure I own a few coins that have been dipped in the past -- I just don't want to try my clumsy luck.

The only "treatment" I have performed on silver coins is to remove PVC with acetone, with a subsequent rinse in distilled water.

Ah, then we've been talking at cross-purposes. When I (and many others) talk of 'dipping', we're talking about proprietary silver dip, such as that sold commercially by Goddards. That might or might not be acid based, but if so it's extremely mild, and after a 10 second dip the coin MUST be rinsed very thoroughly, then dabbed - not wiped - dry. That can expose the underlying lustre on a high grade coin with ugly toning. I've done it! and those coins which have toned back have done so beautifully.

I'm not family with "Goddard's" dip, but I will have to check out it's chemical properties. Thanks!

[Coinery]

I wasn't referring to imbalance fore and aft, I was meaning the degree to which the toning spreads inwards! It's a bit like an off-centre hammered strike, for want of a better word, though Peck has seen it as central! ;)Not instantly appealling to me!

natural toning starts from the edge and moves inwards...

I'm obviously tying myself into a knot here, but I'll give it one last try!

What I mean to say is: if you look at say the obverse on the coin in question, you'll notice the toning isn't creeping in from the edge at the same rate around the circumference (I hope I've nailed it this time?)...this is what I meant about an 'unbalanced' tonal appearance, which isn't to my taste! Not that'd I'd say no, of course!

[Peter]

Goddard's dip just removes crud or unwanted stains.

I never immerse the coin.

The use of a lightly coated cotton bud to the effected area usually suffices.

Anymore required and I wouldn't own the coin in the 1st place.

[Coinery]

I'm not family with "Goddard's" dip, but I will have to check out it's chemical properties. Thanks!

Don't make the mistake of confusing it with Goddard's Silver 'Polish,' as I know some have!

Even if you don't like fully dipped coins (which I don't), it can be a miracle worker on an 'uncomfortable' blemish if carefully used!

'Dunk' a dozen scrap coins beside a running tap, then stroke a few others with the tip of a dipped cotton bud, all beside running water, of course, and using seconds as your timescale, you'll find yourself a fair tool I'd say! I have used it in the past to reverse things I wish had never happened to a coin; stains, prints, poor storage, etc. I feel pretty comfortable with that!

[Coinery]

Anymore required and I wouldn't own the coin in the 1st place.

Precisely! so much better put than my effort!

[Peckris]

Goddard's dip just removes crud or unwanted stains.

I never immerse the coin.

The use of a lightly coated cotton bud to the effected area usually suffices.

Anymore required and I wouldn't own the coin in the 1st place.

I bought an Agfa slide box of halfcrowns from W&W in the late 90s when I was dealing - Ed VII to Geo VI in a variety of grades. Most of them had acquired this really ugly purply-brown toning. I kept a few and sold the rest. I dipped all of them in Goddards for just a few seconds. The toning went away, I sold all the ones I needed to, and the two I kept for myself toned back with a glorious red-blue tone. Everyone won, I guess

[brg5658]

Not a British coin, but one of my favorite coins in my collection. A crusty 1793 Spanish Colonial 8 Reales minted in Peru. The obverse exhibits iridescent peripheral hints of toning, while the reverse has pastels spread about. A big hefty coin in hand!

[declanwmagee]

that's a beauty, Brandon!

[copper123]

I must admit that is a really lovely coin.

But i am not too sure of the portait - that mouth looks really strange, a bit like he's just been told a filthy joke

[Peter]

Slobber slobber.

I like nice things my MGTF is now MS69 (I will owe her one)

I'm now after a 200mph motor bike and a sub 4 second 0-60 car.I never will do these speeds but hey.

[Peckris]

Slobber slobber.

I like nice things my MGTF is now MS69 (I will owe her one)

I'm now after a 200mph motor bike and a sub 4 second 0-60 car.I never will do these speeds but hey.

No way. Mrs Peter told me only this morning at breakfast she would never allow this

[Peter]

She said you were flipping burgers at Rolands.

[Peckris]

She said you were flipping burgers at Rolands.

I didn't say WHERE we had breakfast

[Peter]

The shortest meal of the day.

Love to meet you Peck.Opps the Mrs said your 9 bob note bounced.

[Benny who]

I have a few like this one,really nice iridescence to both sides,George even has a beauty spot.