Copper Poll

prooflike

With everything else being equal and the coins being accurately graded technically, which would you prefer MS66BN - MS65RB - MS64RD?
The brown is 100% chocolate brown, the RB is an even 50-50, and the red is 100% red.

Why did you pick what you did?

dpoole

A brown in 66 probably has a really great strike, and a red in 64 probably has problems, but I like red. It's pretty. (who said this hobby had to be rational?)

dwood

That's a tough question, which caused me to think about it in an entirely new light:

I suppose that when my great grandchildren inherit what is left of my collection, many of the holders which say "MS67RD" will contain coins which are actually RB or BN. That being the case, why am I paying such a premium for RD now? Because I like RD, and because for the forseable future (hopefully, my life at least) they'll stay RD.

GREAT question here! It will be interesting to see what others say. (And for the record, I RARELY buy anything other than RD slabs).

coppercoins

That would still be a strict coin to coin thing for me. I would have to see the three coins to select the best one.

prooflike

I picked the 65RB because I don't really like brown coins, but like some red in the coin and the 65 will have that one less detracting mark or just a little better strike than the 64, so basically a compromise from the red in color but taking the better grade.

Steve27

I voted for brown; older Lincolns just don't look right to me if they're red or red/brown.

ldhair

64s don't do much for me unless it's something really special. I like a little color so I went with the 65. If all three coins were in front of me, I might change my choice.

Conder101

I vote for the 66 BN because I really don't like red copper. I find a nice chocolate brown more attractive.

LucyBop

I vote for Full Bell Lines!

mbbiker

I voted for 65RB because a ranbow toned copper usually gets the RB designation.

dorkkarl

i like rb. "red" is to easy to simulate, rb near impossible, plus it looks nicer. in fact, overall, i probably prefer "brown" to "red". "red" allows spots & such to show up to easily.

K S

dan1ecu

The BN designation doesn’t necessarily mean brown. I’ve seen some proof Indian cents designated as BN that had beautiful multicolored toning (everything but brown...). I’d choose a coin like this over a much more expensive RD.

leothelyon

I would chose the MS64 RD if there were no distracting marks and the strike was strong.

I have debated the same quest with full step Jefferson's. Is a MS65 6 stepper more collectable then a MS67 5 stepper. To answer that, I have many MS64-66 6 steppers in the collection and they are very nice for the grade.

For a matching set, then definately RD, if there is no loss to the overall quality of the set.

Leo

ccrdragon

Red where I can afford it and RB when not. There is just nothing quite as beautiful as a truly red cent!

Barry

The cynic that I am, I believe a lot of the red copper out there (old stuff) has been dipped, therefore I won't pay a premium for it.

nwcs

I liked 65RB. The fact that it is RB doesn't mean it's ugly. It could be toned or have really nice character. Plus, it's got a nice strike and nice luster. Those are great qualities in a coin. I might be tempted with the 66BN if the brown isn't lifeless but rather quite nice.

dabugler

I'm still trying to complete my uncirculated set of lincolns, so, I'm still in "I'll take it if the price is right" mode. Since the majority of my earlier cents are brown, I'll stick with them.

I checked out your site. What a great tool to us novice collectors. Any plans on expanding to other series? Do you know of any other sites that are similar as far as pictured grading examples go? I'm soaking up all the info I can get my hands on. I'm finding that spending time with and examining my own coins helps to quench the desire to spend more money (sometimes). My wife also appreciates my efforts.

michael

65/66/67 rb depending on the look

or 66/67 brown depending on the look

sincerely michael

TWQG

It would depend on the series and year also. There's nothing like old red copper!

dwood

As we speak, I am attempting to carve a bell with big, fat, FULL lines into a 1943-P Lincoln.

Oh Luuuuuucccccyyyyyyy....??????????