Background: Bought a bunch of bullion coins back in the late 90s. Turns out they were a better investment than the dollar cost averaging into the stock market I did I have not looked at the coins in a long time (years) - went to look at them recently and found many of the silver eagles looked like the attached picture. What is the brown stuff along the edge? This coin has sat in the pictured Airtite, in the felt square card, in a box, in my gun safe since Bill Clinton was president. Is this just a really ugly patina forming? Or is it the Airtite foam ring or plastic shell somehow corroding the coin (oops - thought that airtites would be a good way to store the coins!)? Or is it something else (do clean guns give off corrosive fumes)? Any thoughts would be most appreciated!
Thanks for the quick responses (and the welcome), I appreciate it! It is a relief to hear this is just toning. Better than the alternatives at any rate. I wish nature had picked a color other than rusty brown to tone my coins with!
My guess is the black foam surrounding the coin, is having a chemical reaction with the coin and that's why the toning is starting at the edge. Given time, it will continue over the entire coin so if you don't want the entire coin that color, you might want to think about different holders for them. Ribbit
The foam in Air-tights shouldn't cause a reaction. I've seen the same toning on ones not in air-tights. But intercept shields are created for "museum" quality protection. Don't dip it. (But I'm not going to harp on that statement) Although I must admit I wish more collectors were like the ones on here that like toning. There is nothing sadder than some one sending back a beautifully toned coin because it is toned & not bright & shinny!
If you are storing coins and guns at the same time, it may be the gun oil giving off fumes which are affecting the coins.
Regardless of the cause, that coin will continue to tone and the outcome may not be desirable. It does appear to be turning brownish and not toning with the usual colors people like in toned coins. Therefore I too suggest you change the holder and the location for those coins.
Enjoy it for what it is...Bullion. Personally I wouldn't concern myself with the toning and would keep them with the guns.
I agree. Coins and guns don't need to be in the same safe. Everything you put in a safe is going to put off something. Carpet and the glue, shelves and the paint.
Yeah they are considered a bullion coin but try buying them for that. LOL Generally I find they tone ugly anyway usually black & brown. You may just want to get a 2nd safe just for your coins since the consensus is that the guns may be the cause of the toning.
It's called "starting to tone" it is a natural, normal process. It's called "starting to tone" it is a natural, normal process. There is virtually no way to keep silver and copper from doing this though it can be greatly diminished by proper storage techniques. It always amazes me that folks think all those Morgans in ms-64 White have not been dipped at one time or another. It is not logical that your coin started toning after a few years probably kept in an air conditioned home and all those Morgans, Barber's and Seated silver coins that were kept in hot humid bank vaults or wooden shelves or cabinets did not. It's not only not logical it's impossible.
Could also be gun powder. I stored some coins in a gun safe for a while and some where near a container of black powder...and they toned quite a bit.
The main thing to remember is that Air-Tite (tm) is not air tight. They are good holders, no doubt about that, but if one wishes to eliminate rather than just reduce toning, you can not depend on them or slabbed holders. Intercept (tm) premise is to attract and bind contaminants that might cause toning ( sulfides, etc.), but they are not rechargeable. If you have low levels of contaminants, they might do the job for 20 years or more. If you live in a town with a coal burning plant, maybe only 3 -5 years. I keep expecting someone to produce a " Toning Risk Test strip" where collectors could place the strip inside of rooms, safes, vaults, etc. and have a good assessment of the risk of toning. Jim
