I agree with you Jim that there are still plenty of collectors out there who favor untoned coins. I'm OK with that, I used to be one of them. People will forever and always have a right to their preferences and for their own reasons. I understand where you're coming from and your defense of him, and your reasons for such, are admirable. But as Paul mentioned, there is more to this guy than just his book. In every article he has ever written, and there have been many, he promotes dipping coins in order to remove toning. And it's not always unsighlty toning or toning that has progressed to the point that it is damaging the coin. And make no mistake, toning can progress to the point that it damages the coin, I have always agreed with this. But in none of his writings can I ever recall reading even once about the dangers of dipping coins. Never once can I recall reading about how even proper dipping removes a layer of metal from the coin. Never once does he mention that dipping can be and/or is just as damaging as excessive toning. But I can recall many instances in his writings where he talks about rainbow toned coins (always hated that phrase) and about how the darker blues and violets are signs of corrosion and thus damage. (By your own words Jim, this just isn't true.) And he will then go on to advocate dipping any and all such coins to remove the toning and stop the damage. Yeah I suppose I should be more tactful. But then I am the type of person who tends to speak plainly and say what I mean. I call a spade a spade, I don't say it's a darkly shaded card. I call those on ebay who bid outrageous prices for fake or damaged coins idiots and stupid, I don't say that they are poor misguided souls who just don't know any better. And I call Weimar White a nut so that I may hopefully get across to some who are just learning this hobby how stongly I feel about the man's advocations. Now if that makes me a bad person - so be it.
A coin dip is basically a liquid that contains an acid. The reason the dip removes the toning is because the acid it contains literally eats away a very thin layer of metal on the coin thus removing any toning/tarnish that the coin may have. This exposes a new, underlying layer of the metal and makes the coin look new and shiny again. However, dip also removes luster from the coin. It is the luster that tones most easily. Remove too much and the coin is damaged forever.
