Just need some help trying to identify why there is such a difference in the gold hues. Both are authentic. Thanks for your help
Yup....welp would 1 be a proof and the other an unc, or satin strike? As you see the differences in the luster?
So the one that’s not in the ngc slab was exposed to air for an undetermined amount of time would darken it?
I don't collect gold, but it's possible. There is also no way of knowing just how airtight the AirTite is compared to the slab. Chris
If one is a proof and the other unc. that might explain it. OTOH, they are in different type plastic containers that might explain it. Different years?
Neither one is a proof one has been in the NGC slab for as long as I’ve owned it. And the other was in a us mint plastic seal until I transferred it to a airtite
Is there any copper in the alloy of these .999 bullion coins? I know they're 24K gold, but what do they put in the coins to make them durable enough to be coins? I suppose there could be just enough trace alloy of something else in the composition to allow for some subtle toning? (In other words, reactivity to the environment, i.e., "air", as stated.) Or maybe there's a difference in color in the gold itself? Is there any color variance in pure gold? I Googled around briefly, but did not find a satisfactory answer to that question. I know there are certainly differences in colors of gold, which is how they make those "tri-gold" rings and things, but that's due to different purities. But whether two different pieces of pure 24K gold will differ in color from one another is something I don't know. Perhaps there are just enough trace alloy/impurities to allow for some toning. In any event, it wouldn't overly concern me. Both are nice.
I'm one of those who believe that the words "toning" and "tarnish" in the context of coin collecting have different meanings, just like there is a difference between "suntan" and "sunburn". Chris
I pulled a dozen gold coins from my safe. Mostly pre-33 and some modern. Laid them out in front of me and I could see several shades of gold. None as dramatic as your two buffalo’s. However I don’t think it is something to be overly concerned about. Tiniest differences in the trace alloys will have an impact on the color.
Thank you for the extra effort. Yeah I’m not concerned just more curious. I don’t own a lot of gold so it was just hard using pictures as a reference. Thanks again
.9999 is pure 24K Gold and there are no other metals or alloys contained .999 would be considered 22k Gold and contain other alloys such as silver and Copper.