Red Copper coins and why I never collected them.
Bear
Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
I have always been amazed at the beauty of old copper coins
that have retained their full fiery red color. It just boggles my
mind how coins so old could look so new. I suppose that I did
not really collect these lovely coins for two reasons. The first
being that the red coins were always relatively expensive,
the second, I was always afraid that the red color would turn
and thus I would lose a major portion of their value. Copper is a
most reactive metal and I felt safer with silver coinage. Once a silver
coin forms its original skin oxidation, it tends to remain fairly stable,
unless you place in in raw egg yolks or other such terrible sulfur source.
However, still whenever I see a bright red copper in an older holder and
stable, I still am astounded and enraptured by it all over again.
that have retained their full fiery red color. It just boggles my
mind how coins so old could look so new. I suppose that I did
not really collect these lovely coins for two reasons. The first
being that the red coins were always relatively expensive,
the second, I was always afraid that the red color would turn
and thus I would lose a major portion of their value. Copper is a
most reactive metal and I felt safer with silver coinage. Once a silver
coin forms its original skin oxidation, it tends to remain fairly stable,
unless you place in in raw egg yolks or other such terrible sulfur source.
However, still whenever I see a bright red copper in an older holder and
stable, I still am astounded and enraptured by it all over again.
There once was a place called
Camelot
Camelot
0
Comments
<< <i> Once a silver coin forms its original skin oxidation, it tends to remain fairly stable,
unless you place in in raw egg yolks or other such terrible sulfur source.
However, still whenever I see a bright red copper in an older holder and
stable, I still am astounded and enraptured by it all over again. >>
Now you tell me not to store my silver coins in egg yolks!!!
Where were you when I started doing that 10 years ago?
Seriously, though, I am with you on the copper.
I collect copper in RB. In addition to the value issue,
I don't think I am expert enough to tell totally original Red from
recently re-made Red 100% of the time.
However, I picked up a nice Red large cent is a Doily holder not
too long ago. Obviously stable due to the time in the holder.
I had a hard time selling it, but I can't keep every cool coin I buy.
edit: spelling
merse
My taste in copper has always leaned toward evenly toned Bn. This opinion is not based on angst of previously R coins becoming more oxidized and turning with time (short or long) to RB and the Bn but on esthetics.
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
Bear: In reply to your above quoted post, based on your logic GOLD would be safer to collect than silver, because it is much less reactive. The 90% Gold portion of the alloy is very stable, and one only has to be concerned about the 10% copper portion reacting.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
You know what, I still would have bought them.
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I don't have any R copper.
Looks like I'll keep it that way now.
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I only ever had one silver coin turn on me and that was to be expected as it was pure white when I bought it and I knew its history having been dipped out about 8 years earlier (it was a MS66 1853 na quarter in an ogh). Yeah, and it later upgraded to MS67 after I sold it for a premium. But it did start to turn a rather bland golden brown color after I had it about 2-3 years.
roadrunner
Collect what you like and are comfortable collecting.
<< <i>Bear, I'd like to have lunch with you some day; you're an interesting old goat. >>
Camelot