classic head half cents

1907Quarter

can I assume that coins that look like this(chocolate brown) are a safe bet for not being cleaned and are original? What is the visual test for a copper cleaning?
half cent

LanLord

Looks like a big ole oreo cookie sitting there. I like that, I would think it's original. But that's just me.

goyankeez

I don't know much about these early copper coins, but I'm looking for some (BTW not this particular coin) for my type set. What about the rub (?) along the jaw? There's a section that appears white or off-color. Is that wear, cleaning, or what. Or it may just be a reflection. The reverse is what I would expect these coins to look like- a nice uniform brown.

mdwoods

I don't think it is uncirculated, and it looks a little too clean to me. You can't tell from that kind of picture what the coin will look like in person. Bad coppers can look great in a photo, and a nice original copper can look like doody. However, the seller does offer a 7 day return on the coin. Mark

dorkkarl

DEFINITELY NOT! some copper that has been recolored, i can't even tell, and only know because the person told me he recolored it. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean i wouldn't buy such a coin. lets face it, a lot of copper tones ugly, and someone who can make it look perfect, in my opinion, provides a benefit to the hobby. i seriously doubt if most would agree w/me, but face reality: a lot of copper has been cleaned over the years, and considering how scarce it is, if it can be made collectable again, it's a benefit.

in fact, it appears to be a recolored coin in that auction, but difficult to tell from a digipic. BTW, john betz, the seller of the coin, is a pretty cool guy. not the best eye in the world, but does his best to give good cust. svc.

K S

Conder101

No it isn't a safe bet. I used to buy higher grade stripped copper and retone them a nice chocolate brown. I have some question as to this coin being Unc and I also suspect that it may be recolore. The unusual darkness around the lettering on the reverse especially UNITED is why. In the recoloring the materials used tend to collect around the lettering andmake those areas darker if you aren't careful.

mrdq

my 55 double die cent was bagged for looking like that... "questionable toning" i believe was the exact phrase