Here are some new purchases I picked up for my personal collection and had Todd photograph in Sacramento. The 1860 and 1888 Indian cents are to replace ones I already have so I'll post photos of my current ones too. I really like my old 1860 and 1888 Indian cents and am still a little on the fence about which ones to keep. Looking at the coins themselves, and ignoring the TPG holder of each coin, which 1860 and 1888 do you think I should keep? Any thoughts on my other newps? New 1860 purchased in Sacramento Old 1860 New 1888 purchased in Sacramento Old 1888 New 1917 purchased raw at FUN and just back from NGC New 1914 - I bought this from a very old collection where each coin was wrapped in delicate tissue paper inside very old 2x2 manilla envelopes so each penny I unwrapped had this beautiful iridescent toning. I sent several to PCGS who designated them as having questionable color, so I sent them to NGC who gave them the proper grades - this is one of them. And this is my latest Conder token purchase I picked up in Sacramento!
I like the color of the old 1860 better... the purple look just isn't my thing. In direct correlation to the preceding statement, I don't like either 1888. I like nice, full RD examples of cents. The memorials, the 1917 is nice, though I don't really like the pink... sure is eyecatching though. I love the 1914, shame they let the reverse die go so long.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Right now, I am now leaning towards keeping my old 1860 because the strike is better and the new 1888 because I like the color of the toning better. Wow, guess you wouldn't be very pleased with much of my personal collection at all! I have the opposite opinion in that I do not prefer to collect full red copper as they don't necessarily have the "special" look that I seek in coins for my personal collection like toned coins do.
I'm sure I'd still be very impressed by it... plus with toners, it's tough to capture their true beauty in a picture. If you do a show in Philly, bring one along and I'll drop by to check it out. My opinion might change in a hurry.
Maybe it does not have the character of your other coins, but your other coins are not 1914-S's, either. For a 14-S, that is a gorgeous coin!