Some Red Early Copper Questions

KevinGlo

Hi,
This coin just came in the mail. Its in an NGC MS64RB holder. Its got a lot of red and eye appeal, but I was just wondering what you think of the whitish stuff on the "ONE CENT" and the black stuff on the lower part of the wreath on the reverse. You think thats just dirt or something? Anything that really hurts its value/"sell-ability"? Also, I paid $300 for it.... was that fair, do you think? I'm a little bit new to old copper, thus all the questions!

Thanks

KG

darktone

KG, it's a nice looking coin but the white stuff would bother me- it looks like verdigris that was perhaps nuetralized? I sold a 63RB for $250 a couple of weeks ago with much less red than your coin has. mike

KevinGlo

Ya, I was thinking the same thing... Do you think that the verdigris leftovers could transform in the future and get worst?

Elcontador

Very nice color for a RB coin & not a bad strike for an 1853 (denticles and stars are usually soft).
Very minor spotting on the obverse. The black stuff could be toning, which won't hurt the coin.
The material on the lettering may be verdigris; they will slab coins with verdigris or sometimes, even minor corrosion w/o affecting the grade.

Is it whitish or more greenish? I can't tell from the scan. You might call NCS & make an inquiry.
IMO, the coin would be more marketable w/o that stuff.

KevinGlo

The stuff on the lettering is slightly green in the center and gets white as the layer of stuff thins out. Will NCS take care of verdigris (which it may or may not be, I'm not an expert on that)? If it is something other than verdigris, just some random ugly stuff, can NCS take care of that too?

Thanks

darktone

KG, If this is a totally original coin I would not consider NCS I would leave it just as it is. Messed with copper coins alway's seem to have an odd look. mike