Which do you prefer when considering 19-20th century copper coins? Grade/Color

atom

Given the following assumption:

• identically assigned grades for copper coins will technically be equal for the grade (strike, field marks, spotting, luster, etc.)
• greater scarcity of mint state red over brown due to environmental oxidation

Now, which would be your preference from these choices:

MS63 Fully RED
MS64 Red & Brown
MS65 Brown

pruebas

65BN
64RB
63RD

I love a high grade brown coin. Especially one with luster.

Abuelo

A nice brown coin is likely to be stunning.

bidask

@pruebas said:
65BN
64RB
63RD

I love a high grade brown coin. Especially one with luster.

yep I agree

7Jaguars

Hmmm, I have seen some 64 RB Bunhead pennies that I would put first.

bigmarty58

All things being equal,my answer is, select the coin with the best eye appeal.

ajaan

I definitely prefer an 85% red MS64RB coin over a MS65BN coin.

BillJones

@pruebas said:
65BN
64RB
63RD

I love a high grade brown coin. Especially one with luster.

I don’t like most red copper, and the few pieces I do like given me concerns about changing or spotting. I’ll take an MS-65, Brown, over a red coin for everything except the coins that are less than 50 years old.

wybrit

I prefer red when I can get it, but I like nice high quality brown too. It really depends.

63RD:

64RB:

65BN:

tonedSilver

Based on the pics 65bn

brg5658

65BN, all day, every day, even Sundays, and holidays...

In my so humble opinion, collecting old RD copper is risky business. If it hasn't already been artificially "restored" in some way to the state of RD, it certainly won't stay RD forever. When I'm buying a BN coin I know it has already evenly oxidized to a nice chocolate brown and won't likely develop spots or nasty (ghastly) uneven toning. I do not understand the attraction or draw to RD copper. To each his/her own.

asheland

@wybrit said:
I prefer red when I can get it, but I like nice high quality brown too. It really depends.

63RD:

64RB:

65BN:

Given these pictures, the 65 BN looks best in my opinion, but all can be really nice.
(Nice coins by the way!)

CoinCrazyPA

Based on the pictures I would take the 65BN, then 63Red, then 64RB.

LincolnCentMan

I'd take a 65BN over a 64RB or 63RD on any day of the week. I wouldn't even be interested in a 63RD as they usually have bad spots or significant marks. I MIGHT make an exception for a really nice rainbow 64RB for a low end/generic 65BN, but the search would be on for a nicer 65BN.

...just my preference.
David