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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;johnmilton, post: 25263726, member: 101855&quot;]No. Mint State and Proof copper coins are graded on two levels. First there is the wear (or lack there of) grade. Then there is the color grade. A copper coin can be Red and Brown ( R&amp;B) or Brown and still be high grade. Dr. Sheldon introduced the concept that an MS-60 coin is a piece that has &quot;gone quite a ways from its original color,&quot; but that concept is now not valid. In fact modern grading for the Mint State grades has left about all Sheldon had to say in his book. </p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t have any large cents in Red, but I do have an R&amp;B piece that is mostly Red to illustrate the point. </p><p><br /></p><p>This coin is graded MS-65, R&amp;B, CAC.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1611745[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>This one is graded MS-65, Brown. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1611747[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Now, to complicate things a little further, I used to see better date Indian Cents that were all &quot;red,&quot; but the grading services called them &quot;R&amp;B.&quot; Why? They had been dipped to make them red. I could tell that the had been dipped because the red was too muted to be original. I guess that was what is called &quot;net grading.&quot; </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Toning is a natural occurrence which happens over time. It is the result of the atmosphere in which the coin is stored. Most all copper and silver coins will tone over time. Gold usually mellows out. It might have spots or reddish coloring, but that is from the copper in the alloy, not the gold which is quite inert. </p><p><br /></p><p>As it is with copper, silver coins can be toned. Unlike the copper, the graders do assign color to silver coins, although dealers and auction houses do. </p><p><br /></p><p>This 1831 quarter is graded AU-58. It&#039;s been dipped, but has not changed color in about 30 years. I have had the &quot;purist collectors&quot; tell me they hate this coin because it&#039;s lost its &quot;character.&quot; Each to their own. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1611752[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>This fully toned 1861-O half dollar is graded MS-64 CAC. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1611755[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>I hope that this has cleared up some of your questions.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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