It all depends upon the age of the copper. For very modern material, and I only collect Proofs, it’s red. For Proof coins from 1936 to 1942, red or R&B is okay. For 18th and 19th century copper, I like brown. I got burned years ago on some very old red copper that had been “enhanced.” It turned brown very quickly.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Since I am not currently buying any copper that is "younger" than 150 years, I voted for RB. Some of those "Brown with color" cents posted earlier are also OK. While I may not live long enough to see any full Red large cents begin to change color, I know that they will, eventually. Many of the original Red & Brown pieces available are pretty much set, unless they are stored improperly.
@BillJones said:
It all depends upon the age of the copper. For very modern material, and I only collect Proofs, it’s red. For Proof coins from 1936 to 1942, red or R&B is okay. For 18th and 19th century copper, I like brown. I got burned years ago on some very old red copper that had been “enhanced.” It turned brown very quickly.
Agree with Bill. I prefer red for more modern copper, going to RB and BN for older copper.
I like the idea of red large cents, but stay away due doctoring horror stories from Bill and others.
Squeeze lime juice into a COPPER mug and drop in the spent shell.
Add 2 or 3 ice cubes, then pour in the vodka and fill with cold ginger beer.
Serve with a stirring rod.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
1Mike1 was the first member that had my attention and than WingedLiberty1957 threw his hat into the ring, all of this is because I'm a big fan of brown copper.
OldIndianNutKase's 1905 IHC just might of changed my mind, what a beautiful coin!
@Raybo said:
1Mike1 was the first member that had my attention and than WingedLiberty1957 threw his hat into the ring, all of this is because I'm a big fan of brown copper.
OldIndianNutKase's 1905 IHC just might of changed my mind, what a beautiful coin!
If I remember correctly, I think its @robec that owns a 1920 D that is outstanding in glossy brown. Perhaps he will show it off once more.
"May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
@Raybo said:
1Mike1 was the first member that had my attention and than WingedLiberty1957 threw his hat into the ring, all of this is because I'm a big fan of brown copper.
OldIndianNutKase's 1905 IHC just might of changed my mind, what a beautiful coin!
If I remember correctly, I think its @robec that owns a 1920 D that is outstanding in glossy brown. Perhaps he will show it off once more.
Towards the bottom of page 1....a beautiful cent...
@Raybo said:
1Mike1 was the first member that had my attention and than WingedLiberty1957 threw his hat into the ring, all of this is because I'm a big fan of brown copper.
OldIndianNutKase's 1905 IHC just might of changed my mind, what a beautiful coin!
If I remember correctly, I think its @robec that owns a 1920 D that is outstanding in glossy brown. Perhaps he will show it off once more.
Sorry, I just now opened this thread. I'd love to have a whole set of BN copper like this.
Comments
Red !!!
Glossy brown is my favorite.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
It all depends upon the age of the copper. For very modern material, and I only collect Proofs, it’s red. For Proof coins from 1936 to 1942, red or R&B is okay. For 18th and 19th century copper, I like brown. I got burned years ago on some very old red copper that had been “enhanced.” It turned brown very quickly.
Mostly, a warm, aged red combined with glossy brown that has reached a "fixed," terminal state.
With bourbon, thank you.
RB presents best eye appeal usually.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Red Brown at Brown price is my favorite
Red for modern, but definitely brown for the older coins (i.e. large cents, two cents). Old copper just looks more natural when brown. Cheers, RickO
I love those BN's with color.
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My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
I love red brown Indians I bought a 1902 at a coin show from the half priced bin for two dollars and fell in love with red brown Indians ever since
BN, but with toning applied by God........
Oh damn. This one graded RB.
OINK
I like mine silver and gold.
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
I prefer brown colonials. The only red colonials that I can afford have been harshly cleaned!
+1, My favorite also
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
Since I am not currently buying any copper that is "younger" than 150 years, I voted for RB. Some of those "Brown with color" cents posted earlier are also OK. While I may not live long enough to see any full Red large cents begin to change color, I know that they will, eventually. Many of the original Red & Brown pieces available are pretty much set, unless they are stored improperly.
Agree with Bill. I prefer red for more modern copper, going to RB and BN for older copper.
I like the idea of red large cents, but stay away due doctoring horror stories from Bill and others.
All of the above. Depends on date, condition, etc.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I don't have one yet but I like Red > RB spectrum
With Lime, Vodka and Ginger please!
Squeeze lime juice into a COPPER mug and drop in the spent shell.
Add 2 or 3 ice cubes, then pour in the vodka and fill with cold ginger beer.
Serve with a stirring rod.
Definitely brown for my DBLCs. Coins that old don't look right in any other colour. And please leave out the green speckles...
Smitten with DBLCs.
Red - and cameo is preferred, but I also like toners.

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Chocolate not an option?
Shaken, not stirred.
Brown or red-brown with lotsa color.
large copper looks good brown
With everything else being equal, how do you prefer your copper?
Raw to medium rare.
My Adolph A. Weinman signature

I like them all, but for early copper, a nice glossy brown is hard to beat.
Should blue be a choice?
R & B is for me! Peace Roy
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1Mike1 was the first member that had my attention and than WingedLiberty1957 threw his hat into the ring, all of this is because I'm a big fan of brown copper.
OldIndianNutKase's 1905 IHC just might of changed my mind, what a beautiful coin!
Brown, I guess.
Can't change much [except for environmental damage]
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
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I voted Red, but a nice RB with luster and color would have my vote
Deep chocolate brown for me
HAPPY COLLECTING
I like rainbow, red brown eye candy!!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
If I remember correctly, I think its @robec that owns a 1920 D that is outstanding in glossy brown. Perhaps he will show it off once more.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
I dont see the 4th option, BE or blue

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mellow red-brown or glossy brown.
Red please.

Red Brown is for me.
Lots of pretty coins here! I’m in the toned BN or occasionally RB group!
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
I expect red for modern, R/B for middle age stuff, and I love nice glossy chocolate on historic stuff.
RB or BN.. depends on the coin's characteristics.
I have seen Lincoln's in "RD" that had quite nice IMO RB color.
There's something charming too about an older piece of copper that is well-worn glossy chocolatey brown...smoothed by the work it did in commerce.
I would have appreciated "Free" or "Cheap Inexpensive" as a fourth option in the survey...
I like old copper. Anything RB or RD has been messed with after that much time. It should be handsome shades of brown.
Red, but they all have a place.
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Red.
Towards the bottom of page 1....a beautiful cent...
Enter with caution....Beauty abounds here :
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/997910/post-your-pcgs-toned-lincolns/p1
R.I.P Son 1986>2020
Sorry, I just now opened this thread. I'd love to have a whole set of BN copper like this.
- Bob -

MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
I like them all as long as they are nice.
Hoard the keys.