"Dirty in the right way" - post your "crusty" copper-nickel cents!

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?)

 

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.

 

Indeed I am, and it has served me pretty well.

(Though it can also create the occasional headache.)

 

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.