Toning Coins.. on PURPOSE!

It is strange to me yesterday or the day before it was about cleaning coins, and today it is about toning coins artficially. I just think the obvious is very obvious here.

 

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Wow you would make someone a good wife the way you piss moan and argue. Don’t bother answering your blocked. - Edited -

 

You can give him the benefit of the doubt, but I will provide no such consideration. He's been here less than a week, and he's broached two of the most controversial subjects in numismatics. When he ran into resistance, he didn't act like a newbie who made a false step; those people apologize for their own ignorance. This guy knows exactly what he's doing.

 

Lord M. you may be correct, and I really do hope you are. However, I will stick to my guns here.

My wife doesn't piss, moan, and argue. Actually, if anyone pisses,moans, and argues it is me.

 

I'm sorry it seems that way; it isn't. I have some dark copper wheat leafs that (when I show my elderly father, the only person who has any interest in seeing my coins) are too dark to read easily. And, even to me, they are very dark. I don't want to use straight copper cleaner because it gives them a fake color that is unappealing. And, in my heart, I have always felt a disdain for "cleaning" without doing it right. So, for those coins, and one set of British pennies (that I buy for about 20 cents a piece) I wanted to clean them up a bit to be easier to read and view. As for toning, I've always been fascinated by the toning that some coins get and have wanted to play around on some rounds for fun. Then, I thought it might be fun to make a "set" of penny/nickel/dime/etc. Along with my binders of each denomination, I have one binder of random weird coins. The intention is to put them in that binder. That's all. I see this is a sensitive topic and it's a shame others in the past have ruined the fun for those of us who really are just looking for personal entertainment. But, not everyone is that way. I'd like to hope that as you see more posts from me, you'll get to know me better and understand who I am as a person and as a collector and that "cleaning and toning coins" isn't a full picture of me. I also don't want to argue back and forth. If you've already cemented an opinion of me, then that's that. It's fine.

I apologize for bringing up multiple sensitive topics in such a short span of time. I'll try to keep the sensitivity more in mind when posting.

 

@JDcompy you have just been awarded my benefit of doubt.

 

Yeah, I say give the kid another chance. I'm inclined to think curiosity incorporated with a sprinkling of erector set........

 

Fine, not a problem. But you didn't give me a "like" for me being the one that pisses, moans, and groans. Probably it is because of my dynamic personality you think it could never be true, but it is. Yeah, time to lighten up, I think this could go on for days. Not that the Mods would allow that. I'm impressed Lord M. you were on this in a flash, and that I'm not joking about.

 

lordmarcovan, posted: "I use a Vaseline rub to remove grime off circulated Wheaties and Brit large pennies. It removes most surface grunge without affecting the coins’ natural brown color (unless you’re rubbing too hard or long).

There’s nothing wrong with removing surface contamination, if you’re leaving the coin’s natural “skin” unmolested. [Agree]

When you start stripping away the natural patina/toning and replacing it with something else by artificial means, then you’re crossing the line into more objectionable numismatic territory."

I feel I'm transported back to the 1950's. This post has some good info; however, while the poster likes to do this to his copper, I don't recommend using this method except for corroded pocket change. There are much better, more modern ways to clean your copper coins.

 

Just did.....but I never perceived as such. What I perceived was straight talk.

 

Toning will always be a hot topic. Many don't agree with the TPGs on what toning they will straight grade. So we already have a mess. There are many collectors with an investment in coins with natural toning. The AT stuff just muddy the water and fool folks into paying crazy money.

Many collectors know many ways to tone coins but will not share them. No reason to muddy the water any more.

 

lordmarcovan, posted: "I’m sure there are indeed better methods." [agree]
"In the past, I only used the Vaseline method on cheap bulk Wheaties and bulk bag Brit large pennies." [probably not much harm then - cheap and fast method for a dealer to convert the less desirable (to rich snobs) numismatic "dreck" into a more attractive slick and shiny condition.] "It was mostly a matter of convenience and easy availability. I’ve since gotten a tin of Renaissance Wax. But not everybody knows what that is, or how to find it. I did briefly have some of that stuff called Blue Ribbon, which seemed to work pretty well." [A bottle of Blue Ribbon should be something every collector should own.] "What is your recommendation for safely removing surface grime from copper?" [Unfortunately, I have signed two non-disclosure documents so I must play dumb. Nevertheless, I am able to dribble out a few hints that are public knowledge. Copper is probably the second most unstable coin metal. It is the hardest to work on and the one that is virtually unrestorable to an acceptable condition once oxidized. Any residues that are on the surface can be remove with common chemicals like Blue Ribbon, water, acetone, etc. Ultrasonic equipment is often used. Many coins become hairlined by rubbing or drying. I use a microscope to examine any coin before I begin and then continue under magnification for delicate cases. I was surprised to learn that some folks have passible results while using a soft brass brush along with chemicals for their corroded, worn "dreck!" I which case, what you do with a Vaseline rub has to be much less severe.]