How to Tone Coins

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...not to mention copper will reach a given level of corrosion, at which point said corrosion itself forms a protective layer which helps prevent further corrosion. Copper is the easiest coinage metal to "artificially" corrode in believable fashion.

 

Whatever... I don't think the gold posts are moving, the fans don't appear to have read the game program.

Say What? I thought my posts were clear enough - guess not. All kinds of things are done to coins. What separates the professionals from you and I is they know what it takes to produce the desired results. Their methods are not "theory," "brainstorming fantasies," or "stupid intuitions" that are not fully explained or tried. What the heck is a softer solution in a convection current? Are you trying to pry out what's in the "softer solution" from me? Not a chance. What do you think I know as I'm ignorant on the subject.

Now, have you tried the baking solution experiment? Have you tried the dipping experiment I suggested before I was sent on a "vacation?" Perhaps when you do you'll be able to help write "the game program."

You, or anyone else on CT, don't bother me at all. Some of the opinions do, but we all have them and it should be obvious that I look forward to discussing yours as you are one of my favorite "foils."

I wish you a very successful show this weekend!

Don't forget the challenge you accepted. You'll enjoy writing for the larger numismatic audience!

 

Wow! Great point that I never considered. Insider's EDIT: This post is terrific until the last sentence!

 

I personally have kept Lincolns over 50 years without cleaning or any other treatment and they remained red. I think your assumption that they could not survive as red is wrong.

 

I think GDJMSP will agree that lots DO survive in RED as you have pointed out also. I missed his opinion that NONE can as his post was terrific UNTIL THAT STATEMENT.

 

Is there a magic 50 year ago event, or are we talking a continuum here? I OWN rolls (in clear plastic, not paper) put back in the mid-1960's that are still fully and completely red and have never been messed with. It's now 2016. Let's do the math - 2016 minus 1964 equals 52 years. HEY, DO I COUNT? I also have some 1955 and earlier rolls, the old thin plastic tubes with two slip-on clear caps, and they're all red too. I guess I may be "a god", as Cascade joked in another thread, huh?

Or does keeping them away from random atmospheric gases count as "messed with"?

I also own a few NGC slabbed cents that SAY "RD", but they ain't. It's a stretch to call them "RB". They toned IN THE SLAB. I know, 'cuz they was red when I bought 'em.

My point? Any blanket definitive statement about copper coins is wrong, by definition.

 

It's already done and submitted, although the subject matter and recipient morphed due to happenstance since. I actually got up early today to write it.

And not everything I offer here on the subject of conservation is indicative of what I plan or even wish to do in the future. It's an ongoing moral quandary for me, and at the moment I've no space for additional psychological stresses.

 

Congratulations!! Bet you'll do another one as soon as that one is printed. Are you going to tell us NN, CW, or the subject? If not, perhaps a contest so we can all guess which was from you?

Sorry you believe it is immoral to ruin a few Peace dollars. Someone's going to do it eventually and not learn anything from it!

That's one reason I fuss at you! In order to know what a polished coin looks like a collector needs to be taught OR polish a coin with a buffing wheel. And there are degrees of polishing. In order to know the effects of baking soda or how to apply it without leaving a trace of alteration, a collector needs to do it. In order to comment on dipping coins WITH ANY AUTHORITY a poster needs to have done it many, many times using different % of solutions and different time periods with different coins.

Old "wives tales" and "common knowledge" die hard! A former coin dealer and TPGS finalizer had to RAM IT DOWN MY THROAT with proof - (coin, after coin, after coin) until I changed my opinion about the effect "soda" has on a coin's surface under high magnification! Besides, specialists have gone wayyyyy beyond soda! You think?

 

OK Ken I'll bite , what is scrapple ? I've never seen it in Chicago !

 

OK , now I'm glad I don't collect copper . I always thought a few must have been put away in a dry place or roll and the outer ones took the sulfides and turned and the inner bunch stayed red .

 

Maybe , I was right . Wish I hit there are more posts 1st , and read them all .

 

Dave , wouldn't that method clean the coin also . Well maybe not clean , but it wouldn't have the dirt and oils and other debris that makes a nice circulated coin look circulated .

 

In those old double-capped clear plastic tubes, circa early-to-mid-50's, even the end coins are red, red, red. The caps are friction fitted, but it can be a bear to get them loose.

 

Some things are better not to know, my good man. I suggest scrapple is one of them. Here's all you need to know - the color of the stuff, before you slice and fry it, is identical to the grey yuck that collects in New York City gutters. If you still want to fry and eat it, go to it.

 

Close your eyes, serve it with eggs and eat it...it's yummy!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapple

 

I never close my eyes when eating it
The beat part of waking up is scrapple on your plate.
also known as Pannhaas

 

Sometimes, too much info is not a good thing...

YUCK, I'll NEVER eat scrapple again!

 

See??? Scrapple, sausage, legislation - the less you know, the better. Scrapple is a vessel for carrying the fat in which it is fried, end of story.