At the risk of ostracizing myself from the majority of the list I'd like to post the results of a little toning experiment I recently conducted with three coins. We have a wood burning stove down in our basement and try to use (hardwood) instead of pine or spruce. Anyway I discovered if you place a coin on the end of a freshly cut or split elm, oak, or cottonwood log the natural acids of the dried wood will accelerate the toning of the coin, either silver, gold, or copper. I initally discovered this process a few years ago when I left a 1958 Canadian Silver dollar on a log as a football bet and completely forgot about it for about six weeks. It toned up wildly as you can clearly see. To prove my point look at the 1835 half and many will remember it virtually WHITE a few days ago. I also added the Double Eagle at the same time Sunday afternoon. Notice the St. Gaudens with a subtle redish pink color and the 1892 8R Reales which had some natural brown on it already, it went almost totally bronze. This is after only three days! I turned each coin once (Monday evening) during the experiment. Please realize I'm not doing this to deceive anyone and these coins will remain in my collection never to be sold. Thanks for looking Bone P.S. The pictures may take a while to load
I believe you may be onto something there (He types as a cold glass of 'Guinness' prespires on the coaster next to the keyboard, and a pile of seasoned tater-tots begin draw his attention away...LOL) Bonedigger
You should have posted this also on the PCGS web site. There is a kid there, goes by notlogical, that is experimenting with doing the toning thing. He has put coins in just about eveything possible to see what will happen. He said he will post the results when completed. I too have tried some weird stuff on coins but not to tone them, just to have fun. I've put them on railroad tracks, let them soak in Sulfuric Acid, Sulfurus Acid, Nitric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Aqua Regia, Lemon Juice, Apple juice, spit, Mud from my back yard, left in clothing pockets during a laundry load and just about everything else. I've never liked toned coins so when I get one I try everything to clean off the toning. That is possibly why there are so many cleaned coins out there. People like me. Glad about your tip on leaving them on a piece of wood though. I've just got to try that.
