kdkenn

And don't say there is no such thing as a stupid question cuz I know better! LOL Anyways what causes different toning. I see some coins being posted that are beautiful, rainbow like colors. Do all coins "tone" and some that I see just aren't "pretty". Another words are the dark brown Lincoln cents considered "toning"? Or just the pretty rainbow like colors.

So main question is do all coins tone? What causes it? And also does a toned coin have more monetary value or less or does it matter?

Does any of what I just posted make sense? I just had a 11 hour work day and my brain is fried! LOL

TheNoost

All coins tone to some degree based on the metals reactivity to their environment. Gold is the least reactive, so toning on gold is minimal. Copper is the most reactive ( I think) and tones quickly. Silver is somewhere in between. Coins will tone differently based on the atmosphere (my fav. word) of their storage. More pollutants and humidity, more toning. Not all toning is pretty. Pretty toned coins can go for many multiples of the value of untoned. Just look at lehighs coins!

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kdkenn

I did look at lehighs coins. That's part of what had me asking this question. They are unbelievably beautiful.

Just Carl

Your lucky your even working. Not many people are you know.
As to a coin toning, that never happens. It's all a myth started by insane coin collectors attempting to prove they are sane. All coins are made of non toning materials and even glow in the dark.
For real coins are metal and all metals react with some substances chemically. The different metals and the different outside substances create differences in toning, tarnishing, corroding, rusting, etc. For example Copper, one of the most used materials in coins, is reactive with almost anything or so it appears when trying to preserve it. The Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, moisture, Sulfur compounds, etc. play havok with Copper coins, pipes, grounding systems, lightning rods, statues, etc. Same with Silver, Gold, Platinum or any metal used to make a coin. Most people think Gold or Platinum do not react with other substances but those too also react but much less than Copper.
I sometimes feel our government uses Copper in most coins so they will slowly corrode away making the necessity for new ones a necessity.

Just Carl

I missed your question about the Brown color of Lincoln Cents. Yes it is sort of a toning effect. As already noted Copper combines with numerous other substances. The most common is Oxygen to form Cu2O which is the Brownish color of Copper coins. Actually a layering of Cuprus Oxide. The worst part comes with continuous exposure to Carbon Dioxide and moisture. This starts a toning towards the greenish and/or bluish toning called Carbon Carbonate. And to further this any SO or SO2 in the air where addtional moisture may be present will further create addtional toning.
In almost every instance of toning, the metalic material in coins combines with an outside substance to form salts or crystalasations. All crystals have different colors to them based on their composition.
Additional info after this really gets boring.

kdkenn

Thanks! Yes I know I am lucky to be working. I tell myself that everyday when I'm doing cash advances for customers on their unemployment cards (new way of paying unemployment). I also LOVE my job and everyone I work with and I'm about 5 minutes or so from home depending on traffic I'm a shorter drive than that. So YES I'm very lucky. Still tired though! LOL

Thanks for all the info from everyone so far. I appreciate that others take the time to help and educate the new collectors.

CoinKeeper

Bronze is very reactive too, more than copper I think. Our one dollar coins (loonies that are bronze coated) will get a fingerprint mark after only 3-4 days of being touched! Yikes!

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All silver and gold is kept in a bank safe

andrew289

11 hours work day ...don't I wish. I'm finishing up a 82 hour work week tonight on top of a 71 hour week last week. The thing about laying folks off is the the ones left behind have to pick up the work and it ends up killing them. I'd kill to get layed off with a severance deal. Take me next ...waves hand high in the air ...pick me pick me

kdkenn

Wow I would die working that much. A couple of weeks ago I had a 52 hour week but that's the most ever. I was exhausted. Of course when I get home my work doesn't end. I'm learning a couple of new jobs so when I get home I'm working on notes and studying but not getting paid for that so I guess it doesn't count. Add that on top of the fact that I get calls from work when problems or questions arise or they need overrides or approvals because I get off before the bank closes. Also I'm the type that doesn't leave work at work. I come home and work on schedules or just about anything else cuz I can't stand putting things off or leaving them unfinished.

Not complaining though cuz like I said I love my job. Also I know what I work is nothing compared to you or others even. It's alot for me though cuz I went YEARS not working out of my home. Now I work outside of the home and still have kids and a husband who think doing everything at home is my job too. They got used to me being home and them not having to do anything and they still think that's the way that it should be. Not gonna start that discussion though. LOL

Lehigh96

The first thing I thought when I saw the title of this thread was that I hope nobody posts "there are no stupid questions or the only stupid question is the one not asked." After reading your question, I have to be the bozo that says "that is not a stupid question."

I find myself in a quandary when I am asked this question. The reason is that I know I can explain it but not as well as TomB from the NGC forum can. Please visit Tom's site (link below). It should answer just about any question you could have about toning. If not, feel free to ask me any follow up questions you may have on the topic and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

http://www.ivyleaguecoin.com/scienceoftoning.html

I also would like to thank everyone who complimented my coins. I am a true believer that coins with exceptional eye-appeal and quality will never go out of style and will retain their values better than the more ordinary common coins.

As far as work goes, I worked 12 hours today. Today, my boss asked me when I was going to fire my incompetent valet parking managment staff. He followed it up with this statement "don't wait too long or I will have to fire you." The environment caused by our failing economy is difficult on everyone: the unemployed, soon to be unemployed, and those left working. IMO, we all need to accept our current economic situation and provide our absolute best work effort for the good of our families, companies, and country. BTW, today was better than yesterday; no car fires in the garage today.