Copper - grade versus color designation

Hahahaha!!!! You don't think that was apples to apples?

 

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Yes, I front loaded it a bit. And yes the "Red" cent is turning. It was the only 66 red I could find on PCGS CoinFacts.

 

Exactly, for more valuable copper coins, such as the IHC or 2ct piece, a nice RB is usually the best option...

 

Makes me want to buy it, crack it and slip it into an envelope for a while....

 

Ok, here is a fairer comparison. This is a 1909 Lincoln Cent that I own, it's raw and is as close to red as I have. You will notice how the orange areas show how it is slowly turning to red brown though.

 

One of the reasons I prefer toned bn or rb coins, toning offers a layer of protection. Dehydrated and stored properly, they won't change during your lifetime.

 

I would consider it an upgrade, if the 63RD was top pop my answer might change but in general I would consider that to be an upgrade. RB is kind of the sweet spot for the best of both worlds, but BN can be very beautiful in it's own right. I do find RD to be beautiful, but the climate I live in would make me nervous about paying big bucks or a large premium simply for the RD designation so other than moderns I generally stay away from RD

 

I like Bn and it doesnt even hafta be super high grade. Ms62>

 

What if there was no significant premium for a red example?

 

Here are some examples where I've upgraded from RB to BN for eye appeal/grade.

63RB to 65BN


65RB (top pop) to 65BN



Can't find the photo of the one I upgraded from but I went from a 64RD to this 66BN. Typically for smaller coins I prefer red, but the eye appeal on this one was amazing.

 

Let me take another stab at this coin
Im not a copperhead, but ill take a brown IHC such as this one everyday of the week

 

For 1933 and earlier, I vastly prefer a RB or BN coin. After that, RD is okay, but I'd still go for a colorful RB instead.

 

My sentiments exactly. The subtle beauty of this 1934 is hard to match with a coin that is merely all red.

It does get harder to find anyone selling the BR or RB coins after 1934, though. So after 1934 I try to appreciate the color variations within Red as best I can.