Ive been wondering about this for a while now. I have been grabbing 'red' cents/pennies when I see them. The red color is almost as if they were colored and some are moreso than others. They also tend to be more valuable Why are they like that and what cause the 'red' color..is my question Should I have a date collection of just reds?
If they're more valuable, it's only if the red color is natural. Artificially recoloring a cent coin to restore a red color is usually detectable by experts. The examples I've seen look awful. Lots of experts point out that the original "red" color is really more of an orange color -the color of new copper.
Well Twiggs a red cent is closer in color than a brown coin as it rolled out of the mint. Even in lower MS grades the collectors prize them for the "original" mint coloring. In general one might say the older the red coin the more valuable it is. I'm a two cent junkie and own but one that would be considered red. They just tone after 140 years or so. I guess that's why I appreciate a hard, glossy brown so much. Can't afford the red ones with what I collect.
I agree. Even on my indians I like brown and red-brown, better than red. If you like the natural red cents then collect them. I think it should be what you like to collect.
No doubt on older copper. First the chances of it being original are better and second that's what happens when coins tone. I have a complete collection of business strike 2 Cent pieces in unc. A few are RB but when I show them so someone new they LOVE the brown 1871. The 1865 is real nice too (glossy brown).
Red Term used for a copper coin that still retains 95 percent or more of its original mint bloom or color. PCGS allows only slight mellowing of color for this designation (RD). Red-Brown A copper coin that has from 5 to 95 percent of its original mint color remaining (RB). I prefer all shades of Brown for my collection Brown The term applied to a copper coin that no longer has the red color of copper. There are many "shades" of brown color – mahogany, chocolate, etc. (abbreviated as BN when used as part of a grade).
thanks Edduns btw..love your Lincoln av Mr. Lincoln has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid and saw a movie called Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers lol
Since pennies (cents) prior to cetain dates are composed of Copper, Tin and Zinc they are actually Bronze and when a plate used to make coins is polished it appears sort of what you see in all new coins, rather yellowish color. However, as with all metals, that stuff called Oxygen attacks the coins almost immediately. As the copper of the coin accumulates Oxygen it becomes Cyprus Oxide which is a reddish color, Cu2O. This is further attacked by humidity and Carbon Dioxide to form the darker brownish color but as this reaction continues it will become Copper Carbonate that famous greenish patina.
