Silver tones

[robfinds]

In a recent (very recent) thread, mention was made of the colour old silver should be when first dug. Two finds from yesterday, show the great variation that can occur. The 1945 silver sixpence, is only 50% silver, whilst the 700 year plus Edward I farthing is probably more than 90% silver. I found both coins on the same field about 50 yards apart. If you discount the die wear on the medieval farthing, it looks newer than the 1945 sixpence. The large copper coin is a medieval French jeton, it shows the smallness of the farthing (one quarter of a penny). Robert.

 

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[Z.K.]

My American mind cannot actually comprehend digging up a 700 year silver old coin. But the finds are beautiful and the comparisons across dug silver states is instructive. Mayhap one day I will get to consider such differences firsthand, too. : )

 

[against the wind]

Very nice finds. Funny how the chemicals in different fields can impact the color of a silver coin.
Silver will turn black if it is dropped and allowed to sit in salt water.
The different percentages of alloys of the silver coin can also determine what color it may end up with.
A 1943 War nickel, (35% silver) and a 1943 Mercury dime, (90% silver), coming out of the same soil ,
only a foot apart from each other, will definitely be of a different color. Usually the dime will be shiny,
while the nickel will be dark.
The same 2 coins found in the same hole, (coin spill), will still be of a different color. The dime will be
shiny while the nickel is dark. Of course the final color can be determined by the additional chemicals
in the soil, and how long a coin has been buried.
I think it is safe to say that on the day the 1943 dime and the 1943 nickel left the mint, they were both
Shiny.

 

[trapperart]

Very nice finds and information

 

[robfinds]

Very nice finds. Funny how the chemicals in different fields can impact the color of a silver coin.
Silver will turn black if it is dropped and allowed to sit in salt water.
The different percentages of alloys of the silver coin can also determine what color it may end up with.
A 1943 War nickel, (35% silver) and a 1943 Mercury dime, (90% silver), coming out of the same soil ,
only a foot apart from each other, will definitely be of a different color. Usually the dime will be shiny,
while the nickel will be dark.
The same 2 coins found in the same hole, (coin spill), will still be of a different color. The dime will be
shiny while the nickel is dark. Of course the final color can be determined by the additional chemicals
in the soil, and how long a coin has been buried.
I think it is safe to say that on the day the 1943 dime and the 1943 nickel left the mint, they were both
Shiny.

True, silver seems to be the most reactive metal to soil conditions. Over the years I've found silver coins, all the colours of the rainbow.

 

[robfinds]

Very nice finds and information

Cheers

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the fantastic finds!

 

[robfinds]

Congratualtions on the fantastic finds!

Cheers Prof.

 

[Blueblood]

Fantastic finds! Makes my 1800s coins seen very new....ha!

 

[CRUSADER]

I don't think the discussion was totally focused on the condition of the dug silver, more how it should look after being in the ground for years. ie. as SS stated - dirt in the fine detail & in the beaded edges etc...
Having said that, I've noticed many fake posts that I ignored where the coin clearly has cabinet toning, impossible to get in the soil.

What amazes me is the example below (Anyone care to explain?):
Both coins/tokens found in the same ploughed field, both coins/tokens are of a similar age & silver content. Both were only cleaned with warm water;