Any opinions on this reddish-looking "toning" on this second one? While I can see dismissing it as artificial based on the pictures, when I see the coin, I'm thinking no way Jose. Just doesn't look like it was dipped in anything, and the toning is pretty evenly-spread, and it just looks natural. Don't know the exact composition of these, though I'd assume copper, and maybe bronze or zinc? Unbelievable I had another example, same date, to contrast to. What's going on with this second one...anybody?
Thanks Aidan. I'm curious, then, whether this "red" is simply the way some of these bronze coins "tarnish" over time. Have you ever seen another bronze coin like this? This one has always had me bugged, especially since I have another example from the same date to compare it against.
eddie - They are still copper - bronze is just an alloy that is mainly copper. For coins, it is typically 95% copper with 4% - 5% of tin and sometimes small amounts of other metals mixed in. I don't know of any coins that are actually pure copper. As for the color, copper tones all sorts of colors. The color can also be changed by cleaning or dipping the coin. It is not unusual for any of a group of the very same copper coins to be various colors.
hi look at this there three diferent colors the 1974 and 76 are red , the 1972 and 75 are almost gold and my 1973 is brown,but I dont know way sorry
The colouring of the bronze is also due to the way in which the tin & zinc were mixed with the copper as well. Aidan.
So this isn't necessarily "unnatural." That's a start, I was wondering at that. Mucho thanks GD. Seeing is believing, Help. Thanks for posting these. I was thinking the compositions might be a little off in the "red." I mean, I suppose that could have some bearing, too. Thanks again Aidan.
