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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ToughCOINS, post: 1820695, member: 20480&quot;]Oxides reduce the chemical potential of the surface of the coin, thereby suppressing the rate of further oxidation.&nbsp; Toning generally is very uniform, and quite different from an accelerated localized reaction due to contamination or a concentrated catalyst.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A coin that has spent 100 years toning gradually, and now exhibits darkly toned surfaces, retains more original luster than if it had been dipped 4 or 5 times in the same period.&nbsp; While not necessarily attractive, the toning on the coin probably represents what it will eventually return to after the dipping.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With each successive dipping, a coin loses surface area.&nbsp; Less surface area under the same conditions of exposure means faster and more oxidation.&nbsp; It is a vicious cycle to which these coins are subjected, with the results being less satisfying each and every time they are dipped.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While you probably get satisfaction from stripping a darkly toned coin white, another coin you passed on for lack of luster likely fell victim to the very same practice you espouse. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Like many others out there, I went through a dipping phase in my twenties, and learned a lot . . . mostly that I regretted it.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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