ALL Toning On Coins Is Natural - Here's Why
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- ALL Toning On Coins Is Natural - Here's Why. Most Experts Have Toned Coins WRONG! This Will Upset Them!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @coinhelpu
Buy Coins From Us: portsmouthcoin...
CoinHelpu Community coinauctionshe...
Coin Value App: coinauctionshe...
Mint Error App: errorcoins.coi...
You have one of the best if not the best channel on TH-cam. You give us the facts while most others tell us how high or low silver and gold may go.
Thank you
I have a BS in Chemistry and this book is fascinating to me, just finished it. Really is quite revealing as to what the "experts" at the major grading companies do/don't know about toning. :)
So glad you commented. Thank you.
Most Experts Have Toned Coins WRONG! This Will Upset Them!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
th-cam.com/channels/IYtW3byS0u7rBmXg71pXQw.htmljoin
Buy Coins From Us: portsmouthcoinshop.com/
CoinHelpu Community coinauctionshelp.com/welcome-to-coinhelpu-community/
Coin Value App: coinauctionshelp.com/coincollectingapps/
Mint Error App: errorcoins.coinauctionshelp.com/wordpress/
Novel topic, Daniel. Bravo! Spot on. Chemical reactions of metals and acids are basic chemistry. The author is correct. The sulfur ion from the acid is the main culprit in toning. I wonder what the reactions of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, or Iodine acids would look like. Maybe damage the coin or introduce a different tone spectrum? Have you ever come across a toned gold coin? Copper will oxidize in ambient air, but will the 10% copper alloy in gold oxidize to toning?
I purchased a graded quarter about 20 years ago ( NTC ). It was as shiny as the day it came out of the mint (encapsulated). Over the years it has toned considerably. Thought about recertification but not sure that’s the thing to do. Tried to photograph it but all pictures look black but not to the naked eye. This is truly natural toning. 👍
@murlbailer3755 The slabs are not guaranteed to be air tight every single time. Keep that in mind.
I love certain types of toning. I don't have many toned coins. But, I have two distinct categories (and it's not AT or NT). They are either "I like the toning" or "I don't like the toning". So, while this topic is interesting, I'm of the same thought that I am with cleaning. You either did the job well and it looks nice. Or, you didn't. I really don't regard what the "pro" graders say because I'm in it for the hobby, not the value. Regardless, great video. Thank you for sharing!
We have sulfur water at our house and every now and then my wife will do laundry and not take the change out of her pockets. Let me tell you that when the pennies make it into the dryer they come out with every color of the rainbow. As someone who loves toning, it has crossed my mind more than a few times to try it with some silver.
I would try it.
I really like what you said in a comment below Daniel..."It's all the same and natural toning process whether it's banana peels or Dansco Albums. It's all NT but we should not be using AT or NT, we need to apply proper chemistry terms to these and how they toned. Like album toning, bag toning instead of AT or NT" I agree with you. I need to understand this and need to get the book even though I am not one to go hog wild on toned coins. Knowledge is KEY. I'll take a chemistry expert over a coin grading service any day.
Thanks!
Thank you!!
Your the best Daniel. I have been following your channel for many years and have received an abundance of knowledge about the world of numismatists collecting. Follow the science.
Interesting,I will most definitely order the book. Gratitude!
I bought a Morgan at auction from the estate of a Banker and it has a black Cresent toning. The coin is in MS condition and PCGS labeled it Questionable Toning AU . I was livid at the grading and I’ve always questioned their Grading on some coins and I’m sure I’m not alone on this.
No, you’re not alone
Excellent point!
I learned a lot here. Thank you. I have some beautiful toned coins I bought years ago. Can you make a video on how you think dealers price toned coins, because I see that they charge almost 3x the value toned then if it were not. And yes it varies upon how the toning looks. Thank you Daniel!
It's all about eye appeal how much they pay, then consider grade and current auction sells.
I have CC silver dollars from the US Mint, some of them are toned because of the canvas bags they were stored in at the mint for many years! You can actually see on the coin where part of the canvas bag touched that coin!
Textile toning
Always follow the science.Thankyou Daniel.😊
Thanks for the info. Here in South Florida there is a lot of interest in toned coins
This video makes perfect sense. Every coin collector needs to see this and I learned a bit on toning. You explained toning in a simple, right to the point manner. Thank you.
That is what I stay away from toned coins. I don’t want to even guess or pay more just because of the toning.
I feel the same way
Excellent video. I often wondered how so many people had inaccurate ideas about a chemical reaction.
I don't even think most consider it.
Research Research Research !!!!! Thanks' Daniel
Great video, my favorite topic! And I'm getting that book! Thank you. I agree that the chemical process is the same or similar for all toning. However, for me, I believe that there are some characteristics or types of toning that indicate the toning happened naturally and/or over time. At least I think there are 😊. For example, random, sparse, brownish spotting on a coin (hopefully BU 😊). The randomness of this type of toning, for me, makes the coin appear more authentic. It's showing its age. In fact, I'll sometimes look for subtle toning in conjunction with nice, full luster to determine if it is the coin's original skin. i.e., not been dipped. Because, for me, the hunt doesn't change. Whatever the semantics are NT/AT vs. matter of intent. As a collector, I love toned coins and I love authentic surfaces (natural, accidental, over time. Not someone's chemistry experiment. Even if it results in beautiful toning.. Another example. Duration i.e., over what period of time the coin tones. I feel like the human eye can detect some difference between a coin that has been rapidly toned intentionally by accelerating the process vs. toning that occurs accidentally over a much longer period of time. My dad has a Morgan that looks like it's been in Dracula's basement for 100 years. Layered, multi- dimensional toning with hues of dark red, purple, blue and gold. Full luster. In contrast, rapidly toned coins the colors can be more severe, sometimes flat out overwhelming the coin's appearance. And/or the colors don't follow the natural color progression i.e., rainbow. Does the book cover any of these topics? Do you think collecting toned coins is a good idea? Appreciation? Do you think a person who intentionally tones coins should disclose this as a seller? What are some tricks you use to discern between intentional vs. accidental? Thanks again!
That's the thing, it's all the same reaction and there's a couple other things silver will react too but it also depends on the coin's surface condition or state of preservation. It's too complicated for a comment section, that
s for certain.
Great explanation. I enjoy the eye appeal of finely toned coins and love a clean bright coin as well. They all have their place.
Some people are not going to like the tone of this.😅
Interesting video, Daniel. Thanks for sharing. 👍
I have purchased very toned mint sets, still sealed in the plastic from the mint.
Great video and very interesting and informative. I have few “toned” Morgans so personal interest on my part. Great job!!! God bless and I hope your coin show is a success. Wish I could go but from Oregon would be a long drive.
Thank you
Great informative video. Thanks, Daniel!
Also worn coins are more likely to be marked "AT" because toning wears off with circulation, and the thin later of schmutz and dirt that accumulates on a worn coin blocks many of the chemical reactions necessary to produce the colors everyone likes. To get those colors on a worn coin you likely need to clean it (remove the schmutz ;-) ) or subject it to a process that "accelerates" the toning (see my previous comment)
Well said
Any coins stored in corrugated card board is subject to the chemicals that the glue is made of which is Borax, caustic soda, cornstarch,and water. I sent in a Morgan dollar to Pcgs that was stored in a cardboard holder for over 50 years and it came back questionable color.
Because they didn’t like the look, that’s the reason.
@@CoinHELPuI figured they would but I wanted to preserve it the way it was because I like the way it looked.
I love toned coins especially Morgan silver dollars
I appreciate you as a collector.
Good content.
storing coins can also make an effect on toning. the old plastic holders and sheets can cause or did cause toning on silver and copper coins turn green. I have seen a few old collections with damaged coins from such types of storage . of course now we use different type of plastic holders that doesn't deteriorate and release chemicals onto coins and collectibles. I have seen damage to stamp collections from the same type said plastics that were readily available and said to be ok for storage . many collectors have found out the hard way .
It's the same chemical reactions based on the same "gases", just different concentrations.
Some really great ifno Danial.
This is a fabulous video packed with information Daniel.
Thank you, Daniel. Weimar White's terms -- Intentional toning versus Accidental toning -- make perfect sense! Thank you for following his scientific lead in reframing toned coin terminology in the numismatic field.
DAN THE MAN 👍
Intentional versus unintentional. Makes sense to me!
I like the clarification in the description of toning to accidental and intentional. The chemical reactions are the same. What I see is the difference in time. Accidental toning takes time and the right conditions. Intentional toning takes the right conditions and artificially speeds the chemical reaction. If done right, you cannot tell the difference between accidental and intentional toning. But remember, since toning is a chemical reaction it will end up damaging the coin over time. Personally, I could care less about the toning of a silver coin. I think a bright silver coin is much more attractive and doesn't hide small imperfections and damage.
I was involved in industrial pollution monitoring, both stack gasses and ambient air monitoring. Sulfur compounds SO & SO2 (SOx) been in the air for over a century. Coal, oil and gasoline (fossil fuels) the primary sources...almost unavoidable. The "intentional" and "unintentional" is the correct view and terms IMHO. 🤠 Cheers!
I live in an area where there is a lot of natural gas production. Hydrogen sulfide can be routinely smelled and pockets of it in low-lying areas have even killed cattle. There are signs out on the government pasture near a couple of gas production facilities warning people not to linger too long in the area. My mother had inherited a silver set from her mother. When I was a kid she'd have us polish it before guests came over. The brightness never lasted long. You could almost watch it tarnish before your eyes.
I think it's up to the buyers preferences...
some of those in the 1st pick you showed look like coins in those old wood drawers that are the size of the coin and the part againt sthe wood stays silver and the other gets all testuff in the air that hits it over years ,smoking allkinds of stuff cus it isnt air tytght opening and closing of the drawer
This is a good video, and I agree with the point of "artificial" is bad terminology. I'm not sure if "intentional" would be exactly right either because you can buy a canvass bag, infuse it with sulfur, and then let a coin tone for 40 years in a humid basement and have it look no different than an "accidental" one. You can intentionally make good toned coins if you have enough patience.
"Expedited" and "aged" toning might be a good descriptors because then intentionality doesn't need to be proven... which is trickier and less scientific anyways than proving it was put on in the course of hours or even minutes. We're much better at detecting that because it's really obvious and has identifyable, repeating patters to pick up on. I don't know if the book talks about it, but why can you never get beautiful green or aqua from intentional expedited toning? There's something going on in regards to humidity, and the ratio of oxygen to sulfur that will produce different colours and different levels of "brightness" to them.
When someone uses eggs, or gasses a coin, or uses sulfur of silver on them, they always come out with relatively the same look, with the same colours. Whereas with coins that tone over long periods of time, they can come out looking all sorts of different colours and generally have the look to them that collectors want.
I've always thought these grading companies were way too strict on "questionable colour." Unless it's super obvious that it's played with, like a purple, blue and fire orange morgan where the toning perfectly covers all the scratches with even colour and it's super vivid from every angle, and the reverse is absolutely spotless, then just mark it as a normal coin. My only standard is that it doesn't look like someone tried to do it. I don't even care if someone was trying to do it, so long as it looks like an aged tone, and not an expedited tone. It's just colour anyways. To our eyes that is. If it happened to be the exact same colour as silver you'd never know it was there.
In the book you can accelerate any toning and it will look like 40 year toning.
@CoinHELPu I'll have to buy that book. I know some coin doctors have talked about dipping a coin, building an oxide layer and then introduced the sulfur gas to get a more authentic look. I can read chemistry papers all day long about silver tarnish and different methods, and I have, but if the intricacies of the chemical reactions aren't explained to me then I'm not getting the full picture. Chemistry is hard grasp from an expert level understanding of what's really occurring.
Toning hides damage scratches, and ageing, but it does look nice.
I agree 1000 percent with this guy how there is no way they can tell what’s Toned they just need to change there wording period
Intentionally toned coins are easily identifiable because the methods coin doctors use to tone coins (directional gas or liquid transfer) has surface tension. The surface tension leave very distinct marking
It was another great video. Well explained about toning being either intentional or accidental. Much appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Are toned coins worth more and how do I find out about toned coins
Only cmmon sense .intentional or mishandling doesn't necessarily make it more valuable or more desirable to some collectors, and should not be considered in the grading equation. Buy the coin not the holder and always view the grade with some secptacision.
Great video! Love the educational content.
Thank you kind sir.
Thanks. I love learning as much as I can about coins. I plan on finding this book.
Grading companies are not perfect. Grades and toning is subjective. We collectors are at the risky side.
I fully agree, and they have even slabbed fake coins.
A friend has a 1959 proof set, intact. The Franklin is definitely DCAM about 66/67. It has remarkable bullseye toning dark orange to light yellow, even and concentric. How could we insure PCGS realizes this? Could it be submitted in the cello? PR 67*DCAM would be a great grade for this coin.
Daniel I also have a question how come only Morgan dollars have the monster toning but I have never seen a peace dollar like that is the metal different just a thought I have wanted to ask
The planchets are prepared differently and the minting processes are slightly different.
Toning is corrosion and a form of environmental damage. If people want to pay more for damaged coins im ok with that. Just don’t think it’s an investment. While most toning on silver is brought about by sulfidation, there is a much less common toning from oxygen itself. It has no response when it is dipped into a thiourea solution and also makes some amazing color. Call toning what it is, environmental damage from storage or handling conditions. The coins didn’t leave the mint with any of it so its post mint damage to me.
Enjoying your content
I totally agree with this man's synopsis but if the grading companies don't come on board all this is a moot point.
🌞 Good Morning From ALABAMA 🌞🌻 Enjoy your show 🌞
Good morning Daniel from Maryland. How are you Daniel?
I differentiate between "toning" which is a chemical reaction involving the surface of the coin, and "staining", which is an added substance that is adhered to the surface. To me, staining intended to simulate toning is "artificial toning".
Then there's patina. And in ancient coins there is encrustation. Both of which can be natural or simulated.
I'd much rather have a MS Morgan "Dipped" than toned. WHY would a person want a mess of toning? (It was dipped anyway) a long time ago. I have tried to sell silver coins I found metal detecting and the coin shop said the color is wrong and it's cleaned. The ground protected the coin from toning.
I have always avoided toned coins. I’ve assumed most of them are intentionally toned.
Exactly 💯 Intentional or Accidental is the only 2 ways! I forgot some coins in a small box under my car seat for months. The plastics in my car from heat has toned the coins. Was it Accidental or Intentional? I dont know.
Knowledge is priceless. Thanks, I will be searching for that book.
I agree 100%!
Knowledge is power! 👍
Thank you for all the info.on your TH-cam channel.
Great video!
What's the title of the book?
Coin Chemistry
@@CoinHELPu thank you
It seems to me that the typical “monster” toned Morgan is an “original” uncirculated fresh-from-the-bag example. Therefore, as a chemist, I must wonder if those old canvas bags contained chemicals aside from sulfides (possibly organic compounds) that produced such exceptional coloration. Has anyone done a comprehensive chemical analysis (eg, flame spectrography) on original bags to identify those potential compounds? That would be a worthwhile endeavor in my opinion.
Not all from the bags have that neon, monster toned look. It’s up to the coins surface more than the catalyst. No two coins time alike, even with the same chemical reaction.
I never understood why improperly storing a coin could increase its value.
@brianbiggerstaff2787 Because of the colours or patterns it creates. I have a coin I paid $30 for, but I wouldn't sell it for $50,000. It does things to your eyes that aren't believable. It's like my own little Rembrandt. They're very personal. To me, right... silver is nice, but toning is so thin that if it were the same colour as silver, it would be indistinguishable that it were even there. So might as well spice it up. I especially enjoy deep brown mint state copper. They look like a bronze statue patina and it's just nice.
Also toning really forces you to look at the coin harder and from different angles. It can be really fun finding good ways to look at them. Makes them feel more alive. A blast white coin I can enjoy by simply a picture. Unless it has a nice cameo or really good lustre. I just like how it looks old. I like that it's aged by just being forgotten about, but wasn't disturbed so it retained all of it's surface quality. They're a lot of fun, but I try to find deals on them. I usually don't pay much over retail. The prices can be absurd, but I understand not wanting to sell something for cheap.
Math doesn't lie, fantastic video.
No coin is struck already toned so why do toned coins get straight grades ? Aren’t toned coins damaged coins because of environmental factors and or improper storage ? Give me a blast white coin over a toned coin any day , to risky to pay big bucks for a raw monster toned coin just to get artificial toned when graded . And why don’t grading company’s call them damaged and graffiti coins , isn’t man made damage called graffiti ?
Daniel, there are other chemical reactions with the silver on coins. Besides the silver sulfide reaction, silver nitrate and silver chloride form in the presence of nitrate pollution and salt water proximity. Old methods of manufacturing felt used mercury which when used to line old school coin cabinets resulted in silver/mercury amalgam formation on coins in contact with the felt. Those are just a few of the many more chemical reactions that can affect coin surfaces.
There are also many reactions with the copper used as the 10% alloy commonly used for coin silver. Which you briefly mentioned, but greatly differ in appearance compared to silver sulfide.
And, another thing is that the chemical reaction itself is only part of the effect because of the different crystalline structures that depend on factors like time and humidity and temperature. The monoclinic acanthite form of silver sulfide is the common crystal form that is created by atmospheric hydrogen sulfide, but two other crystal forms can be created, especially in elevated temperatures.
I have ordered a copy of the book by Mr White and will compare to some British, German and older American authorities on the subject.
Everyone, send this video to CACG.
White mentions John Albanese but he ignores it, doesn't want to rock the toning boat.
The Truth never lies 👍
Grading is subjective not objective and that is why I don't like grading services . That and it increases the price of coins and prevents me from holding the actual coin itself .
I do not prefer toned coins. Never have.
Very informative. What’s the name of the book or the author? I can’t make it out in the video.
Coin chemistry
Great video Daniel! "Go with the Science!" Unfortunately, it's going to take time, maybe a long time for the TPGs to change their procedures and terms of Natural Toning or Intentional, if they ever will! They are too invested with using their current descriptions. I have had coins, over the course of many years, slowly tone naturally while housed in those craft paper 2x2 envelopes and called "Artifical Toning" by the graders. So, I know the disappointment! Be well! Ed
I view all toning as environmental damage - despite how beautiful some toned coins might appear. I try to keep my coins away from any paper or cardboard, and separated from outgassing plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. Proof or BU silver coins and rounds I tend to keep sealed in the type of Mylar vapor-barrier ESD bags used to protect sensitive electronic components.
Every field and hobby has its own language. Your spot on it needs to be defined. This creates a market that is confusing.
I have a really nice toned coin i believe i got from you Daniel, in one of your gran bags
So if hydrogen sulfide is the key ingredient that causes these toning films to develop on the surface of q silver coin-the question becomes then what accounts for the wide variation in colors seen on some of these beautiful toned mint coins (purple. red, yellow, brown-some of those coins with s rainbow of colors. There have to be other elements or molecules present-in case of US Mint “constitutional” silver where the coins do have a minority percentage of copper in them. And we know that one of the features of classic precious metals (gold, platinum, and silver to a lesser degree) are their natural stability and durability under normal Earth environmental conditions--gold and platinum are especially resistant to damage or destruction because they typically do not react with other naturally occurring chemicals found in nature-this added to their beauty when polished, their malleability and workability lending to their use to create coins as well as jewelry and other artistic decorative items, and of course scarceness are precisely why these metals are “precious” and have been used for many centuries as money.
Primarily the thickness of the layer. Look up "thin film interference" for an explanation. Much more rarely an area with very evenly spaced particles can create a diffraction grating effect which changes color with different angles of viewing or lighting.
No two coins tone exactly alike and one would need to know how the coin was stored, history of exposure to everything the coin was exposed to, how the planchet was annealed and mixed to ascertain why it appears the way it does.
Wonderful insights but you lost me when you said we have the technology. My brain: "We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better, than he was. Better, stronger, faster."
Great thought provoking video. - at 11:50 you are 100% incorrect when you say "a chemist who knows what they are doing can make coins look like this". Coin doctors and/or coin dealers use directional gas or liquid transfer to create (intentional) toning. This can be identified because a side effect of these two methods is surface tension. Toning with surface tension is identifiable. Unintentional toning is a result of air transfer and is uniquely different from previous two methods. - best of luck influencing the third party graders. I've held quite a few intentionally toned slabbed coins
@justinpickar1755 I can get upset about anything I want. If I don't like you or your comments I can delete and block you and I can stop commenting. My videos are only public because I allow them to be, this is my channel not your public arena. Your criticisms of me and my videos and what I am teaching about toning is wrong. You're incorrect and disrespectfully so. I will stop you from watching or commenting if you do it again. You don't control anything on my channel and I don't have to put up with you at all>
@justinpickar1755 you didn't call me out, you showed your ignorance. I am correct because I am speaking from science and facts. I am repeating what professional chemist claims. You can read the comments, several chemists conure. Toning or rust or any chemical reaction to a coins or metal's surface IS damaged. You cannot change that with your opinions.
All coins are damaged in some form or another, but damage isn't always negative.
You think damage is only a negative term but it is not. However, that doesn't change the fact that the most beautiful and most valuable toned coins in CAC, NGC and PCS holders are scientifically verifiable and factually damaged. You can't change that.
You're incorrect for correcting me and you're an offensive human being .
You don't want to facts because it bothers you, because damage to you is just got to be negative.
I've allowed you to be incorrect and disrespectful long enough, I am more of an authority on this subject than you are. You know very little about chemistry or science or you wouldn't make the claims you're making. The truth isn't in you, you're a triggered Karen that can't accept the facts.
Nah, he's right. Cope...seethe.
This is scientifically correct. But now how are we going to be able to differentiate between intentional and nonintentional? The truth is the grading companies really can’t tell!
Toning has to be caused by something.
By a chemical reaction.
Yes. As you said. Natural toning is a misnomer.
Content is good. But please dont repeat yourself constantly. Makes the video’s too long👍
I don't care about toned, or more correctly, tarnished coins but math will lie to you. Mathematically, it is impossible for a bumblebee to fly.
You're literally sighting a 1930's study of Bumble Bee flight. Please do you research, you're incorrect on this. Math does not lie.
"AT" is better understood if you use the term "ACCELERATED" toning instead of just "Artificial". When a grader decides that colors appearing on a coin together that are too far apart on the progression scale indicating to them that the toning process happened too quickly, thats when they'll likely mark the coin AT. Also when they know the annealing/alloys of a particular series are very unlikely to produce a certain color pattern. Accidental vs Intentional doesn't quite work. If you "accidently" leave your coins in reactive albums kept in a warm garage near by running vehicles, the toning you get will be "natural", but your results will likely be marked "AT". But if you INTENTIONALLY leave those same coins in a canvas bag in a dark basement for 15 years you just might get some the get marked as "NT". Can you get toning on a coin with an "Accelerated" process that produces something that will get accepted by the TPGs as "Natural"? Unfortunately and sometimes "yes". But i'll go out on a limb and say the TPGs are right far far far more often then they are wrong, and over time they are getting better (which is why you'll see some Monster Toned coins in older slabs , ha!) Also lets not forget the TPGs have seen hundreds of times more toned coins than me, you, and pretty much every one else on this comment section.
Your comment is a perfect example of what I am talking about, the chemistry disagrees with you and the most commonly held knowledge on coin toning is flawed. You can't tell the difference between accelerated toning versus toning that happened for a longer time. Chemistry proves this because it's the exact same chemical reaction that results in the exact same result.
When two coins that are in the same state of preservation, same annealing process, same alloy mixture, etc. when they're exposed to the same catalyst for toning, one is accelerated and one is longer term, you will not be able to tell the difference. Those two coins might not have the same hues or brightness, but that doesn't spell a difference in time, because both could be accelerated or long term, for that matter, and still have different hues and brightness. No two coins tone exactly alike.
So stick with what this chemist says, it can be accidental or intentional, but it all happens by natural chemical process. You need to retire AT and NT, they don't help anything. It doesn't matter how many toned coins a person or company has examined, if they didn't look at them through the lens of chemistry (science), then they started with a flawed baseline. PCGS nor NGC get it correct all the time either, because they're looking at toning incorrectly.
@@CoinHELPu I do agree that the terms "Artificially" or "Naturally" toned are meaningless because it is one way or another all the same chemical processes, I'm just trying to give my 2c (no not a '64 small motto ;-) ) about what the graders tend to "like" vs what they don't. Also do they even use the term "artificial toning" any more? Everything I see lately they don't like they just slap a "Questionable Color" label on it instead.
Unless I like the toning, I won't buy a toned coin, and if I did, I would pay the same price as a coin that is not toned or walk away... to me toning makes no difference in value.
Never did like the term "artificially toned."
Do not store your coins in the bathroom. Weird gases are known to be in that room.
AT in my book means the coin has been subjected to raw eggs, banana peels, or other organic "enhancers". Putting coin(s) in your Dansco or Whitman that results in toning (over some time) is not artificial. If it were, that would be penalizing legitimate coin collectors, not doing anything wrong.
It's all the same and natural toning process whether it's banana peels or Dansco Albums. It's all NT but we should not be using AT or NT, we need to apply proper chemistry terms to these and how they toned. Like album toning, bag toning instead of AT or NT.
Do toned coins sell faster then non toned coins?
Not if the toned coins are dark or ugly.