This 1909 S VDB Lincoln cent, certified by PCGS as an MS64BN, displays a wonderful coloration of pink and purple across Lincoln’s lower coat jacket with some blue hues in the obverse fields.
I picked this 1909 S VDB as one of my all time favorite coins, it was my first expensive Lincoln cent. Never would I have thought that I’d spend over $1000 on a Lincoln, but I did just that; this Lincoln was a whooping $2500!
When I received this coin, it was in an older NGC MS64BN holder, since it was crossed to PCGS, some oxygen helped create the carbon spots on the obverse, nevertheless, I was hooked on color (toned/oxidation) Lincoln cents.
The toning/tarnish through my curiosity into hyper drive and I learned as much as I could about the factors and elements that cause this. Not everyone likes color on coins and they prefer a plain brown or even a dull red or brilliant red. However, color can have a big impact on the value of a coin, both positive and negative, so there are six things you should know about coin toning when you start looking at a purchase:
- Which metals are more likely to have toning
- Who might artificially tone a coin - and why
- How coin toning happens naturally
- How toning can impact a coin’s value
Which metals are most likely to have toning
Copper and silver coins are the most likely to have toning, and will likely have a bigger range of colors. However, you may still find some gold coins with toning. This is because older United States gold coins are made of 10% copper. The copper in these coins can contribute to a subtle toning shade as the coin gets older.
Who might artificially tone a coin - and why
“Coin doctors” are individuals in the coin market who use the chemical process to artificially tone a coin to increase its value. Some of these coins can have beautiful rainbow coloring, but the process can also leave spots or uneven color behind. A professional coin dealer or grading company can detect this. Luckily I’ve seen tens of thousands of coins, both natural and man made, so if you have any concerns, I would be happy to look over one for you.
How coin toning happens naturally
Toning happens naturally when oxygen and/or sulfur reacts to the metal in the coin. Toning will usually start by turning gold or burgundy. It may then begin to turn blue, yellow, red, or pink, and will progressively get darker until it eventually turns a dark black. All toned coins will eventually become black, but it could take decades or centuries for this to happen.
That being said, the toning process can happen faster if the coin is exposed to heat, moisture, or harsh chemicals, including the chemicals found in cheap coin holders. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the best ways to store a coin, especially one that has already started the toning process.
How toning can impact a coin’s value
Some of the most valuable coins have beautiful natural toning, and this can add thousands of dollars to the coin’s value. However, a coin with ugly toning, especially toning that was done artificially, will likely have a much lower value based on the color alone.
In the coin shop, I have a few BRILLIANT examples of exquisite natural toning with pink, emerald and purple. If you’d like to see a real example, stop in and I’d be happy to educate you.
Sources:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/coin-toning-definition-768303