I learned about this awhile back, was curious if the value of the indian heads ever changed to the actual facts of product. The all silver looking are very soft and are difficult to find in great shape/condition. Does it make it more/less valuable than an all copper one in same condition? here is photo: http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indianheadebayyh1.jpg just cleaning it gave it some scratches. like silver... My bro found this under an old porch of a 150 year old house he was remodeling Sorry. You can't use this forum to advertise auctions. I respectfully suggest that you read the rules. Thanks. edit: oops. the ad was for photos, sorry about that. ...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its never a good idea to clean a coin. Well most of the time anyways, and welcome to the forum
Are you talking about the 1859-early variety 1864? Those are cu-ni, not silver. Also, the later ones are bronze, not pure copper.
thanks. Answering questions pertaining to the question is always helpful. I did some quick searching and found that they are 88% copper as mandated by law 12% nickel, info found at u.s. mint. There is no hint of copper at all on this so called 88% copper 1862 PENNY. The year is 1862, I do not care about the bronze PENNIES that followed. Also in that year a war was brewing, lincoln was president, and nickel not a popular option for coins as prices skyrocketed according to history written that very year... I would love an expert. Upon searching for other indian heads in same year, they are all copper looking from a light shade to really dark, all indicating copper within. This coin I have looks just like a nickel ! I also found the nickname "white cents" for the indian head, is it safe to assume I have one of millions of mistakes when it came to actual makeup differing as written by law ? Thanks for welcome and replies pertaining to my post... I am not a coin collector, will not be posting here often.
"I also found the nickname "white cents" for the indian head, is it safe to assume I have one of millions of mistakes when it came to actual makeup differing as written by law ?" No, you do not have a mistake, all of the cents minted that year (1862, as well as 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1863 amd some of 1864) are whese copper-nickel composition. There is no error, these were made as mandated by law.
As it should. With approximately half the copper component of a modern .750/.250 nickel, if anything it should be lighter in color, not darker.
