Errorists Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 So about 15 years ago I polished up some old walkers in a rock tumbler that turned out out very bright and shiney silver. I forgot about them and found them still inside the tumbler and the media had dried up. When I took them out 15 years later they look gold plated. How does that happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldhair Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 What media and liquid did you use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errorists Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 On 5/17/2023 at 9:56 AM, ldhair said: What media and liquid did you use. Can't tell you that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldhair Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 That would be the answer to your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errorists Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 On 5/17/2023 at 10:07 AM, ldhair said: That would be the answer to your question. Oh didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 The good news is your use of a "rock" tumbler and liquid, the secret ingredients of which you do not wish to divulge because its formula is still "patent pending," has forever enshrined your user handle as one of the more creative minds in the annals of NGC's Chat Board history. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 The cause is immaterial. They are tarnished and worth melt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandon Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 These coins have simply tarnished, nowadays called (unattractively) "toned". It's some chemical compound formed from the combination of the silver and/or copper in the coins combined with other molecules in the environment to which the coins were exposed. Remember your high school chemistry class. Errorists 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errorists Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 On 5/17/2023 at 10:53 AM, Sandon said: These coins have simply tarnished, nowadays called (unattractively) "toned". It's some chemical compound formed from the combination of the silver and/or copper in the coins combined with other molecules in the environment to which the coins were exposed. Remember your high school chemistry class. Yup turning silver to gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyUS.com Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 As with many numismatic subjects, I just see some chemical properties at work. Errorists 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
