Hey everyone! I sent this coin off to PCGS because it was the "Clashed with Indian Head Cent" variety. I thought it would either come back cleaned or MS60/61. But it came back AU58 BN! These are pics of it before I sent it off. I don't think I've ever seen a circulated coin this early with mint red! Is that really possible? I know you can find 1950's wheat cents in AU58 with mint red still.... but a Civil War Era coin? I'm confused. Anyone shed light on this or have an opinion?
The photo makes it look like bronze to me. Why didn't you pay for the variety while you were at it? Chris Too late! OK!
I guess I meant the gold color Shouldn't it be full-on brown in circulated condition - being that old?
No, many of the large cent's from that era have significant red luster in the protected areas on high grade circulated examples. Part of what I consider necessary on an XF large cent is for there to be mint luster in the protected areas, and it's often still mint red.
Well considering it is bronze.... Retention of the red color has nothing to do with the age, it has to do with storage. As was mentioned it is possible to find lightly circulated wheat cents that still have considerable red, and if they are properly stored that red will stay.
