large cent question

Can someone take a look at the coin from this auction and explain the red color on the coin. Is it a form of rust? The coin is clearly too worn to have any mint luster left. Also, is this a form of corrosion, or would the surfaces still be considered average? Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1853-BRAIDED-HA...20?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item27bc4df290

 

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its not rust/corrosion but it is damage. i would grade it VF details NET VG.

 

XF cleaned and it has had the highpoints artificailly darkened.

 

As usual, Conder nailed it. The coin has likely been recolored/worked. IMO, of course.

 

Thanks everyone for your answers. Is the same type of thing going on with this coin:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130537382169&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Additionally, is there some mild corrosion on this coin, particularly in the field to the right of the head, and on the neck/head?

 

XF-AU obv, rev weaker, possibly later die state. (No way does this coin have MS details) Can't tell much about the color or surfaces because the photo is poor quality. For that reason I would not be willing to pay more than VF-20 money for it

 

I don't see any corrosion on the second coin, but I do see some green(verdigris) lurking around the coin.

 

Thanks again for your comments. I am relatively new to this large cent game and I am still figuring out how to grade the surface of these coins. I am pretty good on sharpness and feel pretty comfortable netting for nicks/dings/scratches. But the surface of these coins can vary so much that I often don't know exactly what I am looking at.

 

I agree -- verdigris on the reverse. I would add, however, that once this verdigris is removed or otherwise doinked with, it will expose corrosion pitting lurking underneath.

IMO of course.

 

It takes a while and looking at coins in-hand. Photos online (along with posts like this) will help a bit, but you will learn quicker/better by seeing coins in-hand. Just takes time.

 

I'm confused. I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Some coins retain mint luster down into the XF range. That doesn't mean it wasn't cleaned long ago and has retoned though.

 

Marshall, You are correct about the luster. However, copper doesn't retain red like on that 1853 when worn down. They are brown at that point -- which is the giveaway that the coin was recolored then darkened on the high points. That and the slightly unnatural hue of the red areas (which could be from the photo, but likey are not given the preceding observation about the wear and color not matching). Hope this helps...Mike

 

I suppose you're right. I may be fooled by the Red on some of the English and Irish coins from the Colonial era which appear to retain the red. Of course, they may have been retoned as well.