Colors Of Pennies

Copper coins gradually turn brown over time. If it's exposed to air, it will happen. We call a coin "RED" when it looks just like it came out of the mint, it doesn't matter if it has even a "brassy" appearance, we still call it red.

Most collectors perfer red coins for their collections. They generally have the highest value. For me, it would be the ultimate goal, a completely red Lincoln collection...but the cost would be insane. As my collection stands now, I have all red from 1930 up and a few between 1909 and 1930. I'm always trying to obtain the older ones in red, but it's not just expensive, it's very difficult to find coins.

Hi Vince,
you bring up a great point and I would like to add to what BadThad posted. Once a mint red cent starts to oxidize to brown, the color is known as red-brown(RB). On the value scale, original red(RD) is highest followed by RB and then brown(BN). However, the RB category can be quite subjective as far as eye appeal goes. I believe the guide that some of the grading services use is that 95+% red is a RD coin, 95-5% is RB, and 5% or less is BN. As you see, the RB group has a huge range. You can usually find a nice 75-95% red coin in the RB category and have it cost significantly less than a full red coin of the same grade- these are the coins that are most desirable to me. Unfortunately, some of the RB coins can look a bit funky with splotchy and uneven color. In that case, I would prefer a full BN coin with nice even chocolate color. The problem with full RD coins, especially ones 75+ years old, is that the originality of the red is sometimes in question or the RD can begin oxidizing to RB or BN thus reducing the value compared to the full RD that you purchased. The occurrence of oxidation is dependent upon the handling and storage of the coin- if it is in an inert environment, it should stay RD. If exposed to heat and humidity, it will begin to change.

If you can afford RD coins, that is the way to go if you have the means to properly protect them. If you are a bit more budget minded but still want nice eye appeal, carefully selecting choice quality RBs is the way to go. If low cost is a high priority, then a BN set would be best.

So does every Lincoln Cent start out a red?

It's kind of strange that we call brand new pennies "red", when they're actually kind of an orange color. Then when they start to tone red, we still call them red. If they turn a little brown, then we call them red/brown, and when fully brown we call them brown. Either way, they're still usually uncirculated pennies, or at least AU. With older, scarcer Lincoln cents, the "red" coins can be worth dramatically more than "red/brown" coins, sometimes as much as twice as much! And sometimes "red/brown" coins can be worth twice as much as "brown" coins. All else being equal, I prefer the red coins.

Personally I believe the person that came up with these descriptions was color blind.

Seeking: Is it OK to call cents Pennies

Rainman

What I do is just put any coin in an album to fill the slots. Regardless of color or grade. Then as I aquire a better one that is in my set, I replace the one in the set with that one. The one from that set goes into a 2x2. When there is sufficient duplicates in 2x2's, I start another set. Now set 2 is lesser in grade and color than set 1. Presently have 10 completed sets of Lincoln Cents with set 1 in almost all MS grades and all fairly RED(orange I guess). Presently 2x2 duplicates are piling up so may have to start set 11.
Consider doing that with your sets. It's only pennies you know. Some of the problems with colorations in cents (pennies) is the handling of them. Many people shine them for fun, use them for examples of auto cleaners and/or waxes, dip in acid for chem lab experiments, etc. Some aquire wear in pockets but maintain the original color due to rubbing. Many almost new ones take on a brownish color due to high humidity and heat areas of our country. Some attain a greenish patina due to exposure to large amounts of Carbon Dioxide and moisture. I've found coins in a cash register in a bar sometime take on a odd color if there to long. Of course that depends on the bar, their clients and the amount of smoking too. Have you ever heard that a pennie in a Martini is supposed to be good luck at the bar? Probably not if you swallow it.

you are mistaken color for grade, these are two different things, a uncirculated cent can be ms-67 and be fully brown, and a coin can also be ms-60 and be fully red. The color of the coin has nothing to do with the technical grade of the coin