Copper, 'toned' as only the US can?

[Coinery 1,153]

What's amusing about the original penny in this thread, is that it completely out-dazzles the hologram...that has barely any 'rainbow' in it at all!

[Gary D 76]

If any of you ever frequent US coin forums you'll very quickly see that a number of collectors are paying huge premiums often many multiples of market price for attractively toned coins and goodness help anyone who might suggest to them that these coins have had some help in getting that way.

I would be happy to suggest it!

How do we explain (for example) that, if they are all naturally toned, none of us have one like that in our collections? Or do we? I have a few beautifully toned coins but not like that!!

Me neither. Red tones, gold, yellow, grey. But none are blue. Apart from a GF 1745/6 halfcrown but that's a bluish hue on a pewter grey background and I'm sure is genuine toning.

I have a 1911 proof set that are a uniform dark blue, too dark really, perhaps I'll dip them to get them back to a nice shiny silver colour. Mind you they came from the US.

[Accumulator 52]

20 bids and up at £642 ($1,000) with 2 days still to go. I just don't get it.

[azda 979]

When the shepherd says its worthy of a Premium bid the sheep, or in this case, the Lambs will follow to the slaughter

I'm off to buy a litre of petrol before the price rises again and kills any profits

[Red Riley 2]

Me neither. Red tones, gold, yellow, grey. But none are blue. Apart from a GF 1745/6 halfcrown but that's a bluish hue on a pewter grey background and I'm sure is genuine toning.

This is an interesting one. Came from a collection which was probably put together way before the current fad for crazy toning, and that is genuine lustre in the legends/around the design. Actually far more noticeable in the hand.

Incidentally, I once had a GEF-ish 1868 penny which had that odd blue/rainbow toning on the obverse only, whilst the reverse was normal with about 20% lustre. One theory I heard was that the coin had been left for long periods sat on its reverse in a room and there exposed to cigarette smoke, such that only the obverse was affected.

The conclusion I would draw is that under certain circumstances odd tones can occur naturally. Probably...

Doesn't mean that awful slabbed thing was natural though.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Red Riley