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Message:: [QUOTE="V. Kurt Bellman, post: 3156249, member: 71723"]I agree with that 99% with one small exception. (Hey, if I'm gonna ask precision of others, I need to do it too.) There are extraordinarily well-kept very old copper coins out there that are still naturally red, but they are the tiny exception. "No such thing" is a slight exaggeration. Here's where it gets meta - I believe there is an exception to the exception. When referring to proofs especially, then I believe there's no such thing as a 100 year old proof cent that's naturally red. There is a reason. BOTH late INC's and early Lincolns came in a wispy tissue paper that resembles Kodak Lens Cleaning Paper in weight and texture, but it apparently had a high sulfur component that imparted toning very quickly. Carl Waltz, Jr. of Lancaster, PA is one of the Top 5 "Mac Daddies" of early matte proof Lincoln cents, and he INSISTS there is no such thing as an unmessed with matte proof Lincoln in red, and I believe him. Oh, your local coin shop owner is a butcher.[/QUOTE]