Hi all, I just picked up this item from ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270483429002 My question to all is what should I do to maintain it's toning for as long as possible? Keep it as is, send it to a TPG for slabbing, or something else? Comments and opinions on the toning itself, if natural/artificial, are welcome as well. Thanks!
If you like the way the coin looks, then put it in an airtite holder. Keep it stored in a cool dry place where the conditions are not changing. Bring it out into the light when you want to look at it.
but you may consider dipping it to remove the AT. Or not. Sorry, but that does not look like NT to my eye, but, hey what do I know, I wear glasses.
also, if you heat it on one side (like a griddle) one side will be more radically toned than the other - but both sides will still tone. Anyway, I agree with the others, this looks very AT.
Thanks for all the comments. For those suggesting AT, are you saying his "story" is a lie, and not likely to have been the cause of the toning? Or perhaps that this was done intentionally, and is therefore not "natural"? (Meaning he took the coin out and left it in paper to purposefully tone it.) Or does this just look chemical to everyone?
In my opinion, the toning does not look natural so I did not suggest sending it to be slabbed. However, if you like the appearance & want it to store it, then follow my suggestion above. You should check on the coin every few months.
I'm not so sure it is AT. The colors fade correctly, the spots of different color under the darker color, the way the luster shines through - these are characteristics of NT.
Here is one method of maintaining that coin forever as it is. I too think it's AT. If you send it in and it comes back AT, you'll feel bad. So just enjoy what you have and pretend it is what you want it to be.
