Toning of Silver from Cardboard?

[SilverCoinHound]

These 3 pieces had tape in the back and were set into a cardboard display for many years. Look at the toning on the fronts vs the backs!

 

[beepbleep]

Looks more like the cardboard and tape were preventing toning, air/moisture contact restricted.

 

[AU Seeker]

Silver will tarnish when exposed to moist air and also from being touched from oils in your skin.

 

[mrwiskers]

...another possibility may be any contaminants in the cardboard.

Tape (glue) is no friend to silver, & I'm surprised at the lack of further discoloration.

One good method of storing silver coins is using inert, PVC-free plastics, such as mylar. Most cardboard flips use mylar, & you can buy mylar clear holders, which allow you to easily remove the coin when you wish.

Storage should also be in a cool, dry environment, in inert plastic or cardboard. Throw in some desiccant bags (silica-gel) to absorb any moisture.

Always handle your coins by the edges, & use white cotton gloves. All of the supplies mentioned here are cheap, & available online, if you don't have access to a coin or hobby store.

Very nice Morgan.

 

[robertk]

One good method of storing silver coins is using inert, PVC-free plastics, such as mylar.

Or just put them in a big iron chest and bury them out back.

 

[SilverCoinHound]

Looks more like the cardboard and tape were preventing toning, air/moisture contact restricted.

Yes the tape was preventing the air from contacting the back of the coins.

 

[Almy]

Sulfur reacts with silver producing a grey or black surface tone. The Kraft process to make pulp for cardboard uses a sulfur-containing liquor. There is likely a small concentration of sulfur remaining in the cardboard.

 

[Blak bart]

It is possible to create the rainbow type toning by placing your silver coins in a brown paper bag, and leaving that bag in a window sill, or car dash board for a month or even longer time. As the brown paper bag starts to age in the sun and break down it releases chemicals in the paper that accelerates this tarnishing/toning process. Many coins online are modified like this and sold as toned coins to the collector types that search for these toned coins. This .method is very effective at creating these sensational rainbow toning that some collectors look for. I learned this trick from a post here on t-net.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Those are toned very nicely.