Storage and cabinet toning

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by kazuma78, Jul 30, 2020.

  1. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    How long does it usually take to re-acquire or acquire an old cabinet toned look to ancient coins? I am considering buying a coin with an extremely sharp strike but the surfaces have been a little overcleaned and are more shiny/white than what I would typically prefer. Also, what is the best storage method to naturally acquire the cabinet toned look?
     
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  3. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Put it topshelf in your kitchen, flipping it upside down every two months or so for two years
    Then gently rub it in yours fingers and you're done

    Q
     
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  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    If the coin is silver, storing it in open air will result in toning over time, as the silver reacts to oxygen, starting with a very light brown-grey, and darkening from there.

    Now, some collectors store their silver coins in paper envelopes. The sulfur in the paper, especially manila paper, tends to create more for variegated toning, often quite colorful, with blues, yellow and brown. However, some collectors do not like this effect, especially on ancient coins, as the toning is not really "ancient" in appearance.

    I've done both, but almost all of my ancients are stored in safety flips or open air. My modern coins are also in safety flips and some in manila envelopes.

    Whichever approach you take, depending the metal and the condition of the coin (lightly cleaned to over-cleaned "shiny"), the re-toning process will require time and patience.

    Bronze coins are another matter. Generally time will darken them if they have been cleaned, much the same way as pennies darken quite quickly. Also, ancient bronzes need to be examined closely for any problems, such as bronze disease, which requires immediate attention.

    Hope this helps.
     
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  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I wish there were an easy answer to your question. I bought this shiny silver denarius in 1988 from NFA where it was described as ex. Brauer collection. Over the years it has not toned but has darkened the black spots over the head on the obverse. My assumption is that it was brightly cleaned and then treated with something to slow tarnish. Since 1988, I have went through several changes of holders including about 20 years in trays with other coins that darkened more than this. I have other coins from that period that are now prettier than they were. In 1988, I photographed coins using a film camera and now only have tiny 'contact' prints to show what the coin looked like then. I recall almost not bidding on this one because it was so bright but assumed it would tone down in a few years. I'm waiting, still. Perhaps I should try an acetone bath hoping to remove whatever is preserving the shine. On the other hand, I could take my own advice and trade coins with someone who likes it as is and get one that I like. Best wishes for your coin 'progressing' faster than mine.
    r25680b00188.jpg
     
  6. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Although I know it is heretical, heating it in an oven will speed up the toning.
     
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  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    A bath in 100% acetone would almost certainly dissolve any coating quickly and not harm the coin.

    Looking closely at the coin, there seems to be some very light peripheral toning mainly around the devices.

    Perhaps storage in a paper envelope might help.
     
  8. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Do you suppose that it was preserved with Ren Wax?
     
  9. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I have a variety of old manila coin envelopes and other old coin holders and have no qualms about hastening toning by storing them in such things :).
     
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  10. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    I had a horribly bright one. I put it in a plastic bag with a boiled egg for 10 minutes.
     
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  11. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    Yep, the sulphur released from the steaming yolk tones the silver.
     
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  12. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    I'm a little hesitant to do anything that will tone the coin rapidly. If I buy the coin, it will be one of the most expensive ones I've bought yet and I dont want to risk messing it up. I'll post it here if I get it.
     
  13. AncientJoe

    AncientJoe Well-Known Member

    I currently have a small handful of low-value coins sitting on a windowsill. I had heard of this being effective from others but didn't quite appreciate just how effective it is: within two weeks, one coin has gone from garishly artificial toning to a nice gray. The others haven't changed as rapidly but it's definitely been an improvement across the board.
     
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  14. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    I've heard this too. Did you put them directly on the sill or on top of something on the sill?
     
  15. AncientJoe

    AncientJoe Well-Known Member

    Just sitting directly on the wood. I've been flipping them every handful of days: I'm uncertain which side is more impacted but rotating regularly avoids the need to understand that.
     
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