Hi everyone, was wondering if there's a difference between toning or hazing on coins,and does that effect their grade? I have some proofs that have a slight haze on them in the field area. Thanks
Haze on Proof coins, especially the more modern ones, is quite common. There are a couple of different theories as to why this is - one of them being that it caused by the wash used on the Proof planchets. But I have long been of the idea that it is one of the beginning stages of toning and is due to the way the coins are stored. But does it affect their grade ? Well in a way yes and in a way no. You see part of a coin's grade is based on eye appeal. And if the eye appeal is exceptional the coin may get bumped up a grade. But if it has haze in the fields - that's not likely.
If you have any proof sets or Ike dollars in the hard plastic proof cases of the 1960's and 1970's from the Mint and the coins have a haze on them, remove the coins form these cases, as the haze will only get worse and eventually do permanent damage to the coin surface. Something in the clear plastic outer covers or, most likely, the inner black plastic holder is causing the haze. Blue haze is bad. White spots - bad. By the way, haze will actually dull the luster while toning usually only colors it. Luster is almost always present under toned proof and uncirculated coins, while haze is usually the result of a chemical coating that can actually eat into the surface of the coin, eating away the original luster.
