Sterling Silver English Milled Toning Question

[Paulus 1,975]

I would be interested to know why it is that I have, and have seen, many Victoria and Edward VII in particular, silver coins with significant toning, but there are many silver coins that don't seem to exhibit this to anything like the same degree ... for example pretty much all early milled? Something to do with the silver alloy used I imagine??

Anyone got any 1787 silver that has toning for example?

[jaggy 528]

[Rob 3,152]

An awful lot of silver gets dipped and the earlier the coin the more it tones and the more likely it is to get dipped. A vicious circle. Personally I think cleaning or dipping to excess should be made a hanging offence. If people don't like toning, then walk away and leave the coins to someone who will appreciate the aesthetics.

The toning will obviously reflect the surroundings and general environment. 1787 shilling below.

[scott 144]

even hammered coins tone.

[scott 144]

this is very dark toned.

[damian1986 142]

-79.

[Coinery 1,156]

-79.

Phwoar! I hope the obverse is as good!

[Colin G. 147]

Me too!!

[Paulus 1,975]

Revisiting my OP, it has just been my observation that colourful (natural) toning does not appear as common in early milled silver (or hammered for that matter), compared to later milled. I have a colourful toned Anne shilling, but I can barely remember seeing examples for Charles II and James II, while it seems commonplace for Viccy and Eddie 7, and less so for Georges 5 and 6. Am I right, and is there a chemical reason for this?

Happily this post has resulted in some collectors posting pics of their toned early milled silver, bring it on, love it!

Would be happy is this thread was renamed 'Let's see your toned early milled silver'! (Admins, not seriously!)

Edited March 21, 2015 by Paulus