On some silver bullion even if it has been packaged in an air tight package after minting it sometimes develops some nasty looking toning, sometimes it even looks like a burn mark.  Do these adversely affect the value of the bullion?
200890
No, it doesn't.\nBut I still don't buy 'em.\n\nIf a dealer is purchasing large lots, it won't matter to them.  But small buyers are drawn to 'shiny'.\n\n(did you mean 'tarnish'?  I'm going to have to look up 'tone')
40089
Hi Underworld -- I'm afraid some of the previous answers may have caused some confusion about the coin(s) in question... So -- let me explain it like this:\n\nYour 1940 penny is likely worth .02 to .05 (cents) if in "pocket-change" condition.  If it is still in "shiny new" condition, perhaps $1 to $1.50.\n\n . . . ABOUT WHEAT PENNIES . . .   (per Coinfacts.com)\n\nMost Wheat cents are very common, and were produced by the millions and even billions. Currently, common date wheat cents carry a very small premium, in fact only a few cents to a few dollars each, depending on condition and year. Be on the lookout for the 1909-S, 1909-S V.D.B. (The designers initials that appear at the bottom of the reverse), 1914-D, and the 1922-D with no mintmark below the date. These four dates carry a nice premium if you have one. Wheat cents may be a good start to a youngster's collection.\n\nA complete list of Wheat Cents and their retail values is available in the Guidebook of US Coins by R.S. Yeoman. Currently you can purchase the Guidebook of US Coins for as little as $11 online (see link below)\n\n===========================\n\nThe reference to a 1943 penny with a "value of 200,000" is incorrect...  \n\n . . . ABOUT 1943 STEEL PENNIES . . .  (per Heritage site)\n\nIn 1943, the production of our One Cent coin went through a major change. War efforts that year required copper and its availability was limited. It was decided to change the content from copper to steel coated with zinc for the first run of the new 1943 cents. In 1944, the need for copper was reduced, and the production of the copper cent resumed.\n\nOver one billion 1943 steel cents were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints, making this a very common coin. However, many people found the new "look" fascinating and saved, rather than spend, the new steel cent. Today, their value ranges from about 5 cents up to about 35 cents in circulated condition. Uncirculated specimens (showing no trace of wear or handling) can bring up to about $10 in high grades.\n\n===========================\n\n . . . ABOUT 1943 COPPER PENNIES . . .\n\nRare errors on bronze planchets are known - BUT beware of counterfeits (bronze will not be attracted to a magnet). IF you happen to locate a BRONZE colored 1943 penny - take it to a coin dealer THAT YOU CAN TRUST for their opinion.  \nGenuine cents of this type can sometimes fetch $40,000.00+.\n\nWhy the confusion?\n\nMany national and area television stations recently reported about a $500,000 cent. They mistakenly advised people that the steel cent was very valuable. What they should have said was that THE 1943 COPPER CENT IS THE RARE VERSION.\nWhat happened was an extremely limited number of 1943 cents were inadvertently struck on copper planchets, left in the machinery from the previous year. Very few escaped the mint unnoticed, and these are considered very desirable to collectors. \n\nAuction histories indicate the value range to be from around $5,000 to $70,000 depending on the mint and condition... not the half million-dollar figure quoted. Copper-plated zinc forgeries abound. The primary test is to use a magnet. The common steel & zinc pieces (and the copper-plated fakes) will stick to the magnet. The rare copper issues will not.\n\n[I also found this info about this coins' value:  A 1943-S Copper Cent (graded NGC MS-61 Brown) sold for $115,000 in Ira and Larry Goldberg's "Dr. Jon Kardatzke" sale, February 6-8, 2000, Lot 257 (ex - Superior's "Dr. Charles Ruby" sale, 1974 - Steve Benson, sold privately for $49,500.00 - Superior, June 2-3, 1997, "ANACS AU-58"]\n\n===========================\n\nSuch is the world of collecting coins....good luck to you.\n~mishel
105024
You should never clean or brush coins.  If you want to tone coins, experiment away, but know that no reputable coin company will certify cleaned or altered coins.  Also, coin collectors like me won't touch these coins with a 10 foot pole.  These coins tend to discolor after a number of years, and if you put them under a microscope, you can see tiny scratches from chemicals or from brushes.
178198
It's actually the substance that's mixed with the gold that's probably causing it. It's something to to do with alkelines and acids or something. Gold is mixed with all kinds of stuff to make jewellry because in it's pure form it't too soft to do anything with. \n\nSo your probably allergic to the metal that's in it (usually Zinc).
489872
we had a old trick years ago .. get a 2pence or a penny and put it you know where , if they react to it there is a problem if they say nothing your normally ok ( not for teating aids ) .. what happens the copper reacts with the woman and will cause her dicomfort if she has anything . if the coin turns green run like hell , if you think you have a new coin run like hell .....
92804
yeah, if I could scratch it with a steel knife.  Pyrite would be flaky and would feel like glass almost. Gold would be soft and I could sink a knife into it a bit.  I don't know what silver feels like but I could tell it after I found the first two.
589465
look it up on coin price guide....but don't get all excited...even if almost uncirculated it wont be worth a lot...but ...keep it...to some collector you might get 50 cents or a dollar....when i was younger they were worth about a nickel each - but 1942 is not that rare...you  would get more if it were a s mint mark ...1942-S ...as there weren't as many of those...see price guide URL below
313726
I'd say don't fudge with it.  The coloring you discuss is considered patina.  The natural process of metal aging.  A lot of collectors prefer this natural coloring.  You could be cleaning off value.  Some Ping putters from that era are worth more than others.  Made in Scottsdale is worth more than made in Phoenix.  Sometimes a lot more.  So I'd suggest not polishing.  If you absolutely must...take it to a reputable club repair person and have it refinished proper.  It can be made to look brand new.  Usually either sandblasting or buffing depending on model, metal etc.
19038
yes, you can have a jeweler do it\n\nbut i would not recomend it\nreal gold is very soft\n\nthat is why it is hardened with nickel.\n\ntalk to a jeweler and explain what you want.\nyou did not specify if the gold you wanted to cover was pure or an alloy.
348135
Yes, they are flaky.  But that depends on the bank issuing the MC.  I have one that I have had more issues that I like.  Be sure you have all of your info together when contacting them and don't accept a customer service rep's answer if you are not satisfied.  Ask for a supervisor.  \n\nDiscover is the best I have delt with.  They corrected issue immediately and professionally.
137318
Look for any of these marks:\n\nSilver- Ster, Sterling, 800, 900, 925\n\nGold- 585, 9K, 10K, 12K, 14K, ect.\n\nIf they are unmarked:\n\nDo not acid test, especially silver! Take them to a Jeweler. Most of the time, they will tell you for free.
33320
Don't clean them, this will void them of any value. Believe it or not, old, dirty coins are worth a lot of money!\n\nAlso don't handle them a lot, the oils from your hands will get them more, for lack of a better word, "corroded". Put them in acid free protectors.
49108
Not right now. Those are still in circulation. You need to wait a few more years, decades even-- and at that those bills will only be worth a higher value if they are in mint condition.
492806
There is no such chemical.  This is the "black dollar scam," and it is a fraudulent enterprise.  The scam artist shows the victim a "black dollar," or sometimes dollar bills that have been stamped by the US Treasury to take them out of circulation, and uses the chemical to "clean" it so that it is once more legal tender.  However, this is all done by sleight of hand.  The victim buys the chemical treatment and a stack of plain black paper that they are told is "black dollars," when everything they have bought is really worthless.\n\nMy father had a magic trick he showed me that was very similar.  He had this handheld roller, and he put plain strips of white paper through it, and dollar bills came out the other end.  There was a hidden compartment inside the roller that initially held real dollar bills, and the plain strips of paper filled the compartment as the dollar bills were removed.  My father told me that the roller was turning the plain strips into money.  That was the day I realized the US dollar is a fiat.
600169
Any legal tender coin or bill is worth its face value in commerce. There are many examples of the mony being worth more on the collector or metals markets. A 1922 penny is only worth a penny at the store, but if it has no mint mark, collectors will be falling over each other with fists full of $$ to claim it. The same is true on a smaller scale with the new quarters and nickles, as many collectors will pay a premium over face value for the right one or ones. On the metals market the valuation of the coin(s) reflects the price of its metal at the time. A silver dime is worth its weight in silver on the market, yet may be more valuable to collectors due to date and condition. It definately pays to do a bit of research if you have an old or unusual piece of currency as you just may have hit the proverbial "jackpot".
569418
Many supplements cause that to occur, don't worry about it.   I think it's the food coloring in it.  I bet it has a strange smell to it also.
134152
Lightly rub it on the unglazed rim on the bottom of a cup or other piece of porcelain - if it is gold you will get a gold mark if it is not gold you'll get a black mark.