My artificial toning experiment on an 1881-S Morgan dollar (CAUTION: DIALUPPERS)

[James_OldeTowne]

Exactly one year ago yesterday, I placed a 100% blast-white original 1881-S Morgan dollar from an original bank-wrapped roll inside a previously-empty Canadian dollar box, sealed it and dated it, and put it in the basement. Absolutely nothing else was done with it. I opened it up last night, and the results are presented here for your information.

 

Just for disclosure purposes, I am selling the coin on eBay this week, and will mention the facts exactly as presented above.

 

Comments gladly welcomed.

 

[relicsncoins]

The toning looks perfectly acceptable to me.

 

JJ

[TJ'S Coins]

Ah, the infamous Canadian sponge which produced such toning over two decades (See below in a coin purchased from James without the box)

 

James, it is not clear from the picture but is there any hint of other colors on the Morgan you let tone?

[MBA101]

Yes, put the coin back in its home for 20 more years, then sell it!

[bsshog40]

Nice looking Morgan but I'd say it's just getting there james. Try one more year??

[Dwaine]

I think it needs more time. Toning appears very light to me.

[IGWT]

Interesting. BTW, James, I'm sure that it's just the photo, but Liberty's cheek looks thumbed.

[James_OldeTowne]

(((James, it is not clear from the picture but is there any hint of other colors on the Morgan you let tone?)))

 

Yes! It is mostly a light wash of lavendar throughout the coin, but the cheek has toned a neat pastel blue color.

 

(((Interesting. BTW, James, I'm sure that it's just the photo, but Liberty's cheek looks thumbed. )))

 

Terrific observation, which plays into TJ's question. The cheek is actually a different color of the coin, and my theory is that, being the high area of the coin, it compressed the foam sponge, and I think that is the reason for the even-more accelerated coloration. Notice on the coin that TJ showed, the portrait is differently toned than the rest of the coin, and I think it's for the same reason.

[Zoins]

Great post

 

Have you considered getting it slabbed?

[James_OldeTowne]

Great post

 

Have you considered getting it slabbed?

Nope. It's already on eBay!

[MBA101]

Now here is fuel for thought: If this is AT, than what is it called when someone back in 1885 places a bunch of silver coins in a box in the basement of an old house and someone retrieves and opens the box today and has a whole bunch of toned coins?

[michael]

 

informative thread