1881 Indian Head Cent (Help Determining BN From RB, Lots Of Pics)

Hello everyone,

I have an 1881 Indian Head cent which I am having trouble determining whether it's BN or RB. At the same time, I hope current and future members can find this post helpful. Opinions are greatly appreciated!

First we need a definition..

Via PCGS.com:
The definition of a Brown coin is a copper coin that contains 5% Red surfaces or less, but its surfaces are mostly Brown.

The definition of a Red Brown copper coin is a coin that contains from 5% to 95% Red surfaces.

The definition of a Red coin is a coin that has at least 95% Red and up to 100% Red surfaces.


So here we have a variety of pennies ranging from Brown to Red-Brown to Red. Our 1881 Indian Head is on the top row, in the middle between the Brown and Red-Brown Coins.
Notice the coins to the top-right display nearly full luster and have a deep reflective look to them, these are considered "red".
The bottom row towards the right have mostly full luster and are perhaps RED-BROWN (RB) because they do have "dull" spots where there is no luster.
All of the coins to the left of the 1881 have pretty much 0% luster left and are considered BROWN (BN).
It's no wonder the RD coins are much more valuable than BN.







Let's have a closer look at some borderline coins. 2 Lincolns sitting to the right of our Indian Head cent.

The 58 barely shows signs of luster, the 55 has a bit more

That 58 better have more luster on the rear or I'm considering it BN

Look around "In God We Trust" and "Liberty" and the date to see the remaining luster


And now the reverse. I'm calling the 1958 BN but the 1955 looks RB still. Cruddy picture sorry.




The real question: Is that 1881 a RB or BN? Let's have a good look at it. (Pardon all the lint).
Slightly different light angles, notice the reflection on the bottom right feathers

You can almost make out a whole cartwheel if you look close (the light reflects from one edge of the coin via straight line to the other edge). Some call this the luster reflecting, some say cartwheel, others say an hourglass. I believe they all refer to the same reflection (please correct me if I'm wrong here). A coin with no luster will reflect light like a piece of paper, directly back at you and dull - no cartwheel.




Definitely looks better than this poor BN 1906.

I think I'm seeing luster mainly around "United States" and a bit more on "Of America" and the date as well



Let's look at it next to some more lustrous coins..
Hmm looks a bit better than ol 55 and 58 from the above pictures. Maybe I am just looking through hopeful eyes


Lets see it next to better examples of Red coins now

It's definitely not Red.


Looks brown here



Let's have one more good look at the obverse before we flip it over.



Now the reverse.


So what do you think? BN or RB?