Coin Toning

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Mike Brewer
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Coin Toning

#1 Unread post by Mike Brewer »

My question. Is it possible to look at a coin that is toned, and be able to tell with a reasonable amount of certainty that the coin is toned naturally or has been artificially toned? As I am concerned about this because the markup on such coins can be quite high. There are a couple of coins I have been interested in buying but shied away from (I believe it is better to err on the side of caution) because of my ability to judge the authenticity of the toning.

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Re: Coin Toning

#2 Unread post by Paul »

Welcome

That's an excellent question…
I would recommend looking at a large quantity of "Certified & Graded" toned coins.
Usually, if it looks "Too Perfect", it has been artificially toned....JMO
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Re: Coin Toning

#3 Unread post by Mike Brewer »

Paul thank you for a quick response.

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Re: Coin Toning

#4 Unread post by Earle42 »

Hi Mike,
I cannot tell you the exact way to do it. I know there are places online I have read about where they specify on how it can be done (according to them) depending on the colors/hues etc. Do an internet search and you can likely find something. The one I distinctly remember was one where the website sold only certified monster toned Morgans, I mean the REALLY serious ones. I have no other info than that. Let us know if you find a good place. I would look now and try to link but been doing emails and questions since 10:00 AM and its 5:00PM!
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Re: Coin Toning

#5 Unread post by OldSilverDollar »

If it's AT you can dip it in acetone or distilled for a few hours and it will all come off. Just did two peace dollars on a crackpot with one questionable color that after two hours in acetone and four in distilled water the uniform gold toning was gone replaced by a MS look.

The other one I soaked in just distilled water for four hours trying to get some white residue off the reverse...unexpected all the toning came off too.

Real NT coins they would not lose toning in a acetone or water bath.

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Re: Coin Toning

#6 Unread post by Earle42 »

That is interesting to know! I hope you don't mind me asking where you found this out. I would like to know why it works (former chemistry teacher 😊). I cannot try it for myself b/c I don't have any tarnished...OOPS - did I just type that...er...toned coins 😄.
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Re: Coin Toning

#7 Unread post by Paul »

Remember that I said "Usually"…

I could tone a coin that could fool anyone, am I going to tell you how, of course not.
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Re: Coin Toning

#8 Unread post by Daniel »

Don't buy them ungraded and toned, buy them already graded.

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Re: Coin Toning

#9 Unread post by Mike Brewer »

Thanks, Daniel. That is probably the safest way to get an NT coin.

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Re: Coin Toning

#10 Unread post by OldSilverDollar »

I heard some have put coins in a potato then baked them in a oven for several hours until the coin came out a rainbow toned masterpiece. >_<

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Re: Coin Toning

#11 Unread post by DSCoins »

Paul wrote: Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:12 pm Remember that I said "Usually"…

I could tone a coin that could fool anyone, am I going to tell you how, of course not.
Ahh. Share with us Paul, I really want to know so I can tone a few coins and place them up on eBay for a couple thousand each 😁
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Re: Coin Toning

#12 Unread post by Paul »

If you surf around on YouTube long enough, you just might find it.....
I found it on there 15 years ago!
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