Developing toning... gently

[Helvius Pertinax]

I have never really had coins in my collection that I didn't like the surfaces of. Surfaces are one of the main things I look for when buying coins, so I either don't buy ones where I see potential problems or if I do, they land straight in the resale box (which I don't count as part of the collection).

 

 

Recently however, I found myself bidding on some coins where it was hard to judge. Leu pictures are very uniform and don't allow for an all too accurate impression in my experience. I won two Sigloi, both rare variations of the main types with added reverse symbols and both among the best known; and a cheap Stater from Side.

 

 

As I had somewhat expected, the coins in hand are almost blast white. Certainly cleaned recently, but not too harshly as the cleaning left no scratches.

 

The coins are great, but I would like to see some toning on them, doubt my Zecchi cabinet will make it happen, from what ive heard from fellow Zecchi owners. I've read a bit, looked at results. Certainly don't want to be too aggressive about it, but accelerating the process would be nice, so I've gathered a few ideas:

 

1. Wrapping them in leather and leaving them in the sunlight

2. The same but with aged paper (1600s/1700s) perhaps with a piece of wood underneath

3. Just leaving them in the sun (risky, as a cat owner)

4. Wrapping them in leather, but rubbing the outside of the leather in a sulfur-salt paste beforehands. Perhaps less aggressive than the sulfur treatment some MaShops dealers use, though I am hesitant to use sulfur and if so, only in low concentration.

 

Has anyone got experience in this regard? What can you recommend and what not? I recall someone here trying different methods, but couldn't find a post.

[Sulla80]

12 minutes ago, Helvius Pertinax said:

I have never really had coins in my collection that I didn't like the surfaces of. Surfaces are one of the main things I look for when buying coins, so I either don't buy ones where I see potential problems or if I do, they land straight in the resale box (which I don't count as part of the collection).

 

 

Recently however, I found myself bidding on some coins where it was hard to judge. Leu pictures are very uniform and don't allow for an all too accurate impression in my experience. I won two Sigloi, both rare variations of the main types with added reverse symbols and both among the best known; and a cheap Stater from Side.

 

 

As I had somewhat expected, the coins in hand are almost blast white. Certainly cleaned recently, but not too harshly as the cleaning left no scratches.

 

The coins are great, but I would like to see some toning on them, doubt my Zecchi cabinet will make it happen, from what ive heard from fellow Zecchi owners. I've read a bit, looked at results. Certainly don't want to be too aggressive about it, but accelerating the process would be nice, so I've gathered a few ideas:

 

1. Wrapping them in leather and leaving them in the sunlight

2. The same but with aged paper (1600s/1700s) perhaps with a piece of wood underneath

3. Just leaving them in the sun (risky, as a cat owner)

4. Wrapping them in leather, but rubbing the outside of the leather in a sulfur-salt paste beforehands. Perhaps less aggressive than the sulfur treatment some MaShops dealers use, though I am hesitant to use sulfur and if so, only in low concentration.

 

Has anyone got experience in this regard? What can you recommend and what not? I recall someone here trying different methods, but couldn't find a post.

Being a bit jealous of your lovely stater from Side (Athen/Apollo) - I would argue that you should not alter these coins.  I have found that coins seems to react differently over time - some quickly tarnish while others do not - my general approach - leave them in a mahogany coin cabinet tray exposed to the air (and not in a plastic flip) for a long period of time.  Visit and flip occasionally (a couple of times a year) to try to prevent obv/rev from toning very differently. 

[John Conduitt]

Some people have posted about accidental, fast toning (a few months) just by leaving their coins in the sun by a window. You need sulphur and oxygen to get toning. Air pollution from the street has that, but wood or paper would also provide sulphur. So would your fingers. Sunlight accelerates the reaction through heat and humidity. More heat and humidity will make it faster.

Edited October 27, 2024 by John Conduitt

[Kaleun96]

10 minutes ago, John Conduitt said:

Sunlight accelerates the reaction through heat and humidity. More heat and humidity will make it faster.

Also through the light itself inhibiting the protective effects of the silver oxide, which otherwise slows the formation of silver sulphide. Apparently any visible light works so doesn't have to be sunlight but IIRC the same researchers noted a small additional effect from heat as well so sunlight is probably best for that unless you have a halogen laying around.