The orange color is the remnants of the original color of the coin. Currently this coin has a Red-Brown designation based on the fact that it still has some original color left. Currently it is not worth that much over face value.
It seems strange that these can still be found with some of the red still remaining, but these were heavily saved in giant numbers and some are just getting into circulation.
I'm just kidding.. as was stated before, it's obviously a color change Red-Brown is correct. Here is a chart to distinguish the 3 colors -
I'd bet that the Mint Sets were probably saved in large numbers because it was the last year of the 90% silver half, quarter & dime. Even if the sets were opened for the silver coins, it's possible that the cent and nickel were probably saved in 2x2's or flips. Chris
I got a 95% red 1968 in change the other day. Not really good enough to keep, but nice enough for me to notice it and wonder where it had been hiding for the last 48 years.
