I have noticed that many of my Mercury dimes in a Dansco album are beginning to tone around the edges. As a 50 year collector, I have always prefferred blast white silver coins. In the "old days", toned meant tarnished. Today it is something to shout about! Now, my question: should I just let them go to become"beautiful rainbow toned FSB Mercuries", or get them out of the album. I have seen "rainbow toned" coins selling for many times the price of an equally nice blast white one. When I'm gone, my daughter(or YN grandson) will have a great set. What do you think?
All toning is not created equal. I've seen downright ugly, undesirable, bad toning. So you're taking a crap shot of sorts. Will it turn out desirable? Or will it end up looking like a bunsen burner experiment. Also, remember, you can't go back if you don't like it!
Let them tone. Album toning is a beautiful thing. I use Dansco's specifically for that purpose. Your grandson will thank you when it comes time to pay for college. That is they are MS60+ quality to start with. Post some photos.
Don't tone nicely?!? Mercs coming out of a 7070 stand about a 50/50 shot of looking awesome. http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2196.html http://virtual7070.com/images/35 1916 Toned Mercury Dime.jpg http://mbcoins.net/920s.JPG http://forums.collectors.com/i/authorsicons/MercuryDimeGuy35sMerc.jpg http://www.jetproofs.com/IMG_3036MercuryCU.jpg http://www.jetproofs.com/1945sms68dime2obvM.jpg
Toning beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I do not mind some subtle golden toning - but the other stuff gets too wild for my tastes.
I stand by what I say and I think the toning in those coins you posted, except maybe the 43 D - reaffirms my belief that Mercs don't tone well. http://www.mrbrklyn.com/coins/11022008/dsc05432.jpg
All coins will tone eventually. If it's 150 years old and blast white, it's more than likely cleaned. I'd let them tone before I cleaned anything. Guy~
