Odd toning on Morgan dollars

Bought these oddly toned Morgan dollars. Any guess on what would have happened to these coins?

 

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A lot of that toning looks 'terminal' and undesirable.....

 

Perhaps stored in an damp and inhospitable situation.

 

Almost looks like mildew...

 

Collectors usually don't call black oxidation toning. At least it is natural and not artificial.

 

Soak 'em in some pure grade acetone and see what 'shakes'.......

 

Looks like they were In a fire!!!.

 

Not quite.

 

I thought it was some sort of old chemical that was used on this coin. May to old cleaning?

 

Tried on a coin. Nothing comes off even after a few hours in it.

 

Sorry for that. I was hopeful.........

 

eZest and a Q-tip

 

I'd say they were stored in a gun safe.

 

How much did you pay for those Morgans? They do have melt value even if they don't have much numismatic value. I was wondering about toning on my Peace Dollars I got in a lot along with a lot of Indian head Pennies

 

Looks like they where wrapped or rolled and where in a fire. The oxidation is pretty irregular; I don't think being stored in a damp place would give them such irregular spotting. My guess.

 

I was also thinking maybe a fire?

 

I still say it depends on what he paid for them. If he paid melt he is ok.

 

It looks like long term exposure to sulfur to me.

 

As extreme as they are, any treatment to remove the deep black areas chemically will make the untarnished area extremely obvious as they become raw appearing. Jim

 

Nothing sells for melt now a days! I paid 32.50 each.