I often like how the copper-nickel alloy used in the 1856-1864 US Flying Eagle and Indian cents toned over time. The Flyer cent below is the last one I owned, around 2013 or so. It was OK, but I want one with even better contrast. Post your crusty and/or darkish Flyers or early Indian cents! Flashy UNCs need not apply. This thread's for the circulated ones that did their day in commerce. (Yeah, @CircCam. I'm lookin' at you. Whatcha got up yer sleeve, there?)
Hey- What are you trying to pull here? That's a pretty nice coin! How much commerce did that one see?
Just enough, but not too much. @Nathan401 - That's a decent enough circ Flyer, but not dark or crusty enough for my tastes. Wanna see more contrast!
Actually, the crusty, contrasting darkish look I like is most often encountered on G-VG copper-nickels, but for me the sweet spot is those VF20-XF45-ish ones with the darker undertones that make the design pop. It's harder to find nice problem-free examples in that grade range with just the right look.
Nothing as wholesome as that Flyer, but here’s a couple crusty ones that likely have some stories to tell.
Those are definitely headed in the right direction. Now, I wanna see some with that level of contrast, but better surfaces...
Man, if I could find me an 1859 IHC with that level of black-and-white contrast- but also with smooth, undamaged, nonporous surfaces? Why, I'd arm-wrestle you for it, that's what I'd do.
This is a handsomely crusty one. It could stand to have more contrast, though. (Not my coin- pic borrowed from DLRC)
NOW you're talkin'! That, sir, is a sweet CircCam. Show me a VF35 to XF45-ish example with that kind of contrast, and I'll dance a jig.