What causes rainbow toning on coins?

What causes rainbow toning on coins?

Toning occurs naturally over time. It is mostly the result of oxygen and/or sulfur reacting with the coin’s metal. The toning process can be accelerated by heat, moisture and a variety of chemicals in the environment. Silver coins tend to tone in the most vivid colors.

What is the rarest Morgan Dollar coin?

1895 Morgan silver dollar
The 1895 Morgan silver dollar is known as the “King of the Morgan Dollars” because it is the rarest and one of the most valuable coins in the entire Morgan Dollar series.

How can you tell if a silver dollar is toned?

Signs that a Coin Has Been Artificially Toned

1. Hairline scratches on the coin’s surface can indicate cleaning with an abrasive chemical or brush.
2. A dark brown or bluish hue often comes from chemical toning.
3. Spots often appear on an artificially toned coin’s surface if the chemical reacts unevenly.

Is toning on silver coins bad?

Assuming the toning is natural, and attractive to most collectors, toning is usually a positive, particularly on older 19th century coins.

How do you stop silver coins from toning?

If you want to prevent silver coins from tarnishing or toning, then they need to be kept in a dry controlled climate with limited light exposure. The less exposed to air and outside elements, the better.

Are rainbow toned coins worth more?

One of the most often discussed issues when evaluating a rare coin is the effect that toning has on its grade, and ultimately its value. Generally, a dark, blackish or splotchy look is seen as unfavorable, while multicolored, rainbow toning in a crescent or target pattern is usually seen as favorable.

Are toned Morgans worth more?

It is certainly possible for an MS63 toned Morgan to be worth more than an MS67 Morgan because of color, but when comparing a monster toned MS63 or MS64 Morgan to a monster toned MS67 or MS68, the grade can make a massive difference in value.

What’s therity of a rainbow toned Morgan Dollar?

Rainbow toned Morgan dollars have been universally admired by collectors. Their rarity amongst a sea of white and dipped coins is a pleasure to see and almost always brings a smile to the faces of those lucky enough to handle these, the most beautiful US coins.

How many monster toned Morgan dollars are there?

The rarity of true monster toned Morgan dollars cannot be stressed enough. Out of the 656,900,590 Morgan dollars that were produced from 1878 through 1921, there are probably in the ballpark of about 10,000 “Rainbow Morgan dollars”. This quantity represents any morgan with even the slightest amount of rainbow color.

Which is the most toned series of coins?

Morgan dollars are one of the most popular series of United States coins to collect with vivid toned colors. Naturally toned coins can bring a premium several times more than an untoned coin. Many of these silver coins toned as a result of the way they were stored for a long period of time.

Why was the Morgan dollar not very popular?

Despite its massive popularity with modern collectors, the Morgan dollar was not a very popular coin while it was being minted. The dollar coins were large and unwieldly, and most people found paper money much more convenient to use.