Saw this auction overseas and took a chance as I had a bid going on another coin there: https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=4076&category=107756&lot=3349195 Figured if I had money left over from the other coin, this would be nice. I got it by overspending (oh well). This is the coin in hand, and I must say I am both pleased and not pleased. Overall, much nicer in hand than the dull photo suggests. On the other hand, this is the second time recently I've gotten a 'high grade' Albanian coin in a PCGS holder with a little surprise (notice the green color of the 'meh' fellow): (I cracked the other one and gave it an acetone bath with good result...something this coin will also have to go through I suppose). Anyway, I'm interested in the round toning band on the obverse. I see this reasonably often on Albanian coins and wonder what would cause it. Here is a partial screenshot of the reverse of another one from Heritage: So, what might cause the circular type of toning?
The all-seeing eye of Sauron? Seriously, though, I'm assuming some sort of sticker (remember those stickers you could buy to protect the holes for looseleaf paper?) or maybe another coin.
The toning is from a tab holder, which back then were as common as dirt both in Europe and the US. Some coins were even issued in tab holders, and they came in all sorts of different styles and types. Here's just one -
I have a similar one of those (should have thought of it!) that my grandmother gave to me a while back. Swanson (Campbell Soups) "TV" Brand Dinner Buy any 3...get 1 free offer refund:
