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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Publius2, post: 8489380, member: 105571&quot;]It would help tailor a response if you told us your area of copper coin collecting interest.&nbsp; I am going to assume that your interest is in early US half cents and large cents and my comments are primarily focused on that area.&nbsp; That said:</p><p><br /></p><p>What you need to watch out for when buying early copper coins is buying in ignorance.&nbsp; OK, you are already one up on that pitfall since you asked the question.&nbsp; So, other than the folks here giving you a PhD in one paragraph snippets, how can I best address your question, not knowing anything about what you are planning to collect, i.e:&nbsp; Ancient Copper/Bronze; 18th century British/American coinage;&nbsp; Late 19th/20th century US coinage, etc.&nbsp; Each of these areas has unique characteristics and knowledge requirements.&nbsp; But they all have one thing in common.&nbsp; Copper is the most environmentally reactive of the common coining metals so it is subject to various forms of corrosion.&nbsp; That can range from what is called micro-pitting to huge cankerous growths and pits. </p><p><br /></p><p>Other than corrosion, each copper type of coin will have its own prevailing set of issues that affect the grade, visual desirability, price, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; For example, US half cents and large cents are made of pure copper, thus are softer than their bronze small cent descendants.&nbsp; That makes them somewhat more prone to rim bumps, abrasions and other mechanical damage.&nbsp; How does that affect grading and what you may be willing to accept and pay for?&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I have found that the single most educational source that is easily and readily available that will provide a good grounding in copper coinage no matter what the century or type is:</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Grading Guide for Early American Copper Coins</i> by Eckberg, <i>et. al.&nbsp; </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Published in 2014 it is still available.&nbsp; I have seen copies offered recently for about $50. </p><p><br /></p><p>You don&#039;t have to agree with the grading standards or grading methodologies described in the book in order to appreciate the thorough and complete description of most of the issues that copper coins suffer.&nbsp; Those issues and how they affect the grading of copper coins include:&nbsp; Copper source, refining, melting, rolling, planchet cutting, planchet flaws, striking and die issues, corrosion, PMD, wear and color.</p><p><br /></p><p>This book should be viewed as a primer, in other words the start of your education.&nbsp; As you see more coins and their problems, you will have more questions and you will seek more in-depth sources.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, I readily admit that ancient bronze and copper coins are subject to certain maladies that this book does not address.</p><p><br /></p><p>One other suggestion:&nbsp; If you join the Early American Coppers Club (and even if you don&#039;t) you can gain access at no cost to all the past issues of Penny-Wise, our journal going back to the club founding in 1967 on the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Portal. Looking through these you can find many articles addressing every aspect of collecting US early copper coinage.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://eacs.org/benefits-of-membership/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://eacs.org/benefits-of-membership/" rel="nofollow">Benefits of Membership | EACS</a></p><p><br /></p><p>If you have specific questions, ask away.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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