I don't have a camera right now, but I had a handful of change I keep in my drawer (I empty the change out of my pocket each day and put in drawer then use when needed) I noticed there was heavy reddish rainbow type tone to one of the pennies, when I looked at the others, they are all starting to tone the same way, it looks real nice, but these are just modern day lincoln pennies not like i'd add them to the collection or anything, and for that matter I wouldn't ruin any of my collect by putting it in there, but, anyone know why this happened? BTW, the dresser drawers are just plywood, not sure what kind of wood the dresser itself is, light in color though.
The front of the drawer and the carcass of the dresser is probably solid wood. Wood releases tannic acid some other acidic components. Oak is one of the more effective woods, that is why some say to tone or retone coins by putting on a oak plank. If it was an antique ( not if plywood), some old formula finishes had sulfur compounds to inhibit wood boring insects. Mahogany is considered less problematic, but long term could be deleterious ( or beneficial if one likes toning). Jim
I get great tone from my oak Curio cabinet. It takes a couple of years, but the results are usually quite pleasant to look at.
Nice. If I'm not mistaken, many consider this NT, correct? What about grading companies, will they still slab coins that are toned in this manner? BTW, I'll try to get a camera tonight so I can post pics of these coins, no gaurantees though.
He says the drawers are made of plywood which also adds fumes from the adhesives as well. So you have outgassing of chemicals from the wood, the finish, and the adhesives. What is causing the toning? Take your pick.
