i have two dimes that share the same grade but one has some toning on it ..what makes it tone? and will the toning eventually just turn to a dark ugly color?..i would like to put the toned one in an album because i think it is a nicer looking coin..what do you coin experts think
Toning is usually normal Oxydation but occationally is an attack of another substance in the air. Miscellaneous gasses such as Nitrates, Sulfates, Chorides, etc can also create what is called toning. If on another Silver object it is usually noted as tarnishing. Silver cookware that has this effect is normally cleaned with something like a jewlery cleaner. Coins are normally never cleaned. The reason is the toning is a combination of the original Silver and something else and the removal of such compounds also takes away some of the Sillver. If you ever watched the Antique Road Show they constantly stress not to clean old items. If put that coin in a normal Album such as Whitman, Dansco, etc. the normal fact that it is rather enclosed in by the plastic slides, closed covers, usually helps stop such reactions. I suggest you put the one you like best in the Album and don't worry about futher toning. However, to make sure you could do as I do and place the Album in a Freezer type Zip Lock bag and press out as much air as possible.
Toning is a chemical process in which the metal of the coin reacts with things in the environment around it. Iron reacts with oxygen to produce rust. Aluminum reacts with oxygen to produce a crusty coating. In the case of silver, most often it reacts with sulfur. Yes, it will continue to get darker unless you take steps to stop it. Remove the sulfur from the area around the coin and toning will cease. - Don't store the coin in wood containers. - Don't store the coin in a paper container unless it is sulfur-free (this includes albums.) - Don't handle the coin except by its edges, and then only if you've thoroughly cleaned you hands. There are a number of storage containers that are considered safe, at least for the short term (5-10 years.) THE WEBSITES BELOW ARE ONLY TO SHOW SOME OF THE PRODUCTS. I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THEM, NOR HAVE I EVER ORDERED FROM THEM. 2x2's - http://www.centercoin.com/coin_supplies/mylar_coin_holders_2x2s.htm Flips - http://rg.ancients.info/guide/holders.html Other - http://www.air-tites.com/ Just make sure they are PVC-free.
