Picked this up at one of the coin shops I frequent. First I wasnt going to buy, but he dropped the price to $25, so I took it. Obverse is awesome, while the backside got "burned." I use the obverse for my desktop background. Anyone got a clue on how this coin got this way? Edge is very dark blue black.
First let me say; Great Pics. Roll toning is certainly a possibility. Another possibility may be toning from an old album. Looks like someone may have tried to clean the reverse at one time or another. (Really can't tell judging by photos). The Obverse is stunning.
Yes, it would seem that a coin from the end of a roll would have a less-blackened reverse. Perhaps it has been out of the roll for some time, and been laying on a surface that has blackened it. The obverse does seem to indicate the folds of a paper wrapper.
Looking at the brighter strip down the center of the obverse, I think it might have been taped into an album. That would cause the reverse to tone differently and the part under the tape wouldn't have contacted the album material.
Hmmmm - gorgeous color whatever the cause It almost looks like the coin may have been stored in an old cardboard tab style holder.
