100%…
Maybe the colorful Nickel Certs could’ve toned them to a rainbow beauty, depending? Yes, moisture looks like it sneaked its way near the coin surface.
I defer as well.

“The paper tab toning/protection on the front is interesting, and the wooden nickel certificates don’t really show counter-fading going on. It’s almost as if the 3-coin paper holder was stored separately from the rest.”

I thought exactly the same thing. I’ll have to inspect the paper for damage/wear. I’ve wondered: if the coin/holder had stayed in the envelope, would it have been as “toned”? It seems likely that the coin/holder was stored in an uncontrolled temperature/humidity environment like an attic or a basement.

But, I defer to the experts on this matter.

Well REB first off–Congratulations on your auction win! I had just caught it live with about 20 lots to go for the day. You did get some last second competition, unless that was you doing the sniping?
Not a clairvoyant this time. The tells were there, as you mentioned the SBG Old Holder Auction, your collecting interest in Southern Mints & coinage, historical buildings, and you live in SC. Easy peasy, especially when the auction had maybe two coins w/OGP add-ons?
I think you paid a premium for the OGP and the supporting accoutrements, not the NGC ‘OH’ classic slab.
The coin has damage of sorts, namely the handsome russet toning lol. We can’t forget the reverse has that “dusky antique gold tinting”, so there you go. It’s a nice coin with Character.
The paper tab toning/protection on the front is interesting, and the wooden nickel certificates don’t really show counter-fading going on. It’s almost as if the 3-coin paper holder was stored separately from the rest. Or did the accompanying paper & ink corrupt the coin(s)? Shark, E1, HarryB, Sam-I-am, etc might have opinions…
I don’t see a problem with the grade technically speaking. A good strike with minimal hits/dings, or rubs on high points. The coin was likely downgraded by just 1 point due to the lack of luster, and the toning wasn’t helpful in the eye appeal dept.
Under different circumstances, it might’ve gotten an MS66, who knows? Again, it’s a nice coin with good character, enjoy!
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWC9B/1936-d-columbia-south-carolina-sesquicentennial-ms-65-ngc-oh-with-original-three-coin-tab-holder-mailer-letter-and-3-columbia-

Copy that E,
Caution, risks, and research is the name of the game I suppose.
I remember begrudgingly helping my mom so long ago to help clean her tarnished sterling silverware sets.
No etching had occurred thankfully, but the black/purple-like toning cleaned up pretty well…

Buddy Ebsen, the coin collector…

“He was not only an avid collector but also a serious student of the hobby and active participant in organized numismatics. In fact, he co-founded the Beverly Hills Coin Club. His personal collection included a complete gold type set, a set of the Panama-Pacific commemorative coins in their original copper frame and a gem proof 1879 coiled hair stella (a pattern $4 gold piece).”….

No need to fret, and no need to necessarily add to your collection either. A simple book, a new price guide like above, or a coin podcast can satisfy any numismatists cravings. As one un-named commenter on here had previously suggested–“A Lincoln 1C Album can be one of the most satisfying, and affordable collections to have”. Don’t swim against the tide, but instead, adjust your sails to effortlessly head straight into those waves.

I recognize that character, Kaiser.

You are indeed clairvoyant, Rick. The coin and paperwork are now mine, at least they WILL be when I get the bill, pay it and receive the coin. I have to admit that the “handsome russet tab toning on the obverse” is growing on me. It’s a weird and funky coin in a similar way as my 1838-C half eagle with the countmarks and die crack. Ironically, the “toning”/tarnishing doesn’t appear to have been done by the paper holder. It only appears on surfaces NOT covered by any part of the holder. Strange but fascinating.

It blows my mind that this coin is MS-65. I will bet when I acquire the other two mint coins (P & S) of this set, they will 1) look uniformly “nicer” and 2) grade at (or maybe lower) than the one I bought today.

So what’s your take on my two-toned new aquisition, Rick? As they ask on Pardon the Interruption, “Big Deal, Little Deal, or No Deal”?

Also, the bag holding that 1954 proof set does not look original. It looks like a soft poly bag.

Rick,

From my experience, colorful toning is never an issue. It is black toning that I avoid. PVC turns black in the long run and this etches the patina of the coin. This is when the corrosive strength of PVC becomes greatest. I believe Sharks2th mentioned this too. One of the questions I always ask myself when buying a coin – Is the coin dippable? Here is a nice proof cameo that had black toning similar to the one above and below is the result after the dip. So, I am highly cautious of black toning. But, I would need to put an eyeball to that coin in person before making a buy decision. JMHO.