Why are my Prez Dollars toning?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by dimeguy, Jul 23, 2011.

  1. dimeguy

    dimeguy Dime Enthusiast

    So, to put it shortly, my Prez Dollar proofs are toning and I don't know why. Today I decided to flip through and admire my collection. I got to the Prez Dollars to find that 5 of my clad proofs are toning (or at least I think it's toning). I honestly don't know why. I house all of my coins in the sereis collection in 2X2's (or at least something similar) and then house them sequentially in the plastic sheets. Below you will see an example.

    [​IMG]

    I have several photo album binders for each denomination. Each are stored on a book shelf in my room. Room itself is kept anywhere from 70-74 degrees, depending on the day.

    As for the toning, here's an example from our 5th President-tried for different angles so you could see what I'm refering to. I am horrible at capturing tone.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    See how President Monroe's face is sort of cyanotic/pale looking? This pale coloration is present on both obverse and reverse of at least 5 different proofs and I'm not sure why. Any help would be greatly appreciative, as I really don't want the golden hues to go out after only a couple of years. The only other thing that I think that could help in this discussion is that we did put in an air conditioner in the room next to mine that could contribute to the issue. Still makes me wonder why none of my other clad proofs have toned though. Thanks again.
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. phdunay

    phdunay Member

    It may be their holder having something wrong with it, or that there is too much moisture in the room
     
  4. HowardStern

    HowardStern Member

    Could be some pvc buildup on the coin. Take it out and feel the edges...are they sticky? This happens!
    Its always a good idea to put them in new flips every so often. I try to change mine 1x a year!
    I also put my proofs and satins in capsules. Since I started hoarding satins, Ive made lighthouse coin capsules a small fortune!
     
  5. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    The alloy that the mint chose to use to make the Sackys and the Pres dollars is the most reactive metal that has ever been used to make a US coin. What that means is that there is little you can do to stop or slow down the toning of these coins. This has been true since the first one was struck.

    The mint has experimented with several things to try and slow down the toning but they have met with little to no success. All of the dollars even have a coating put on them (by the mint) after they are struck, but even that does not work.

    The only thing I have ever found that slows down the toning process is putting the coins in Air-Tites and storing them in a proper environment.
     
  6. dimeguy

    dimeguy Dime Enthusiast

    Well, the reactivity of the alloys was something I wasn't considering. I honestly don't think the flips are an issue as I'm sure they are relatively inert and I do try to change them every 3rd year. I wasn't sure how much an air conditioner in the next room would affect the moisture content of the air...just disappointing knowing they'll tone a little I guess. Thanks for the info and thoughts.
     
  7. Ladies First

    Ladies First Since 2007

    My Dansco Pres Album with environmentally protective slip cover has toned them nicely! The Intercept Shield album seems to have no tone. Maybe Intercept's 2x2 boxes would help?
     
  8. LindeDad

    LindeDad His Walker.

    A simple fact that you or a Fullfiment center employee happened to exhale when handing the coins migth of started the process. It has happened to me with other coins especially proofs over the years. I have even had it happen to coins that are slabbed. Toning of coins seems in many cases to be a random and natural process that we as collectors have little control of but I like the suggestion of the Intercept boxes. The priciple is to sacafice the material that is impregnated into the box to save the coins seems valid to me.
     
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    No, they aren't. The cardboard is laden with sulphur. That is one of the downfalls of using 2x2 holders.
     
  10. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    You want to see one really tone, put it in you pocket every day for a week. Therewill be a little of every color imaginable in no time. I know this because I buy a roll or two to spend from time to time.
     
  11. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    From what I understand these coins tone if you look at them funny.

    The best way to store these types of coins (in my experience) is to put them in an airtite (or a slab), and put them in a place that is very constant temperature wise, with low humidity and sulfur, with little airflow immediately around the airtite.
     
  12. Augustine1992

    Augustine1992 Member

    where do you get those holders and the binder pages?
     
  13. dimeguy

    dimeguy Dime Enthusiast

    Mylar 2X2's and plastic display sheets come in a Whitman package found at my local Hobby Lobby. Set comes with 100 2X2's of various denominations and 20 sheets. Not a bad deal I didn't think.
     
  14. phdunay

    phdunay Member

    I think I may try the pocket thing on a pres. dollar, be cool to see the results, maybe 1 in left, 1 in right, just to see
     
  15. wgpjr

    wgpjr Collector

    My youngest son can get these coins to tone within a day or two. lol. He likes to hold onto coins and by doing so, it drastically changes the color of these presidential / native american dollars.
     
  16. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    I'm looking at 'em cross-eyed and they're "toning" as I speak......
     
  17. Taylor101

    Taylor101 New Member

    I don't collect them very much and I was given some the other day at a collector store, I was buying a 20 2x2 pocket page, an IHC folder, and 1 cent tube, and he gave $3 of my change in Presidential dollars and a SBA! The presidential dollar was fine, and when I took it out of my wallet a few days latter and it was black! I was sad, so I bought some ice cream with them! :)
     
  18. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Buying ice cream with "black" Pres dollars is good Taylor.......:)
     
  19. Taylor101

    Taylor101 New Member

    OMG, that is sooo rasist green!
     
  20. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Dang. Wasn't meant to be. Allow me to rephrase.......

    Good thing to buy ice cream with coloured Pres. dollars. Dat better?
     
  21. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    And I aint's no racist. Some of my best friends and neighbors are of the African American persuasion......:)
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page