This should explain things. It refers to an as minted, bright copper finish which leans towards a shade of red. Only mint State coins, no au or lower, can be classified as such.
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But doesn't that mean a 2020 penny right out of the mint is "red", even though it doesn't look "red"? Sounds like "red" simply means the more orange-coppery color compared to the brown patina most older pennies get? Am I reading this right?
Quote: "Red" is a reference to the original luster evident on the coin
Red refers to the color, not the luster. Luster is how shiny a coin is, i.e. cartwheel luster, and has nothing to do with color. A full brown coin can have luster.
The definition of a Red cent is a coin that has at least 95% Red and up to 100% Red surfaces. The definition of a Red Brown cent is a coin that contains from 5% to 95% Red surfaces. The definition of a Brown cent is a copper coin that contains 5% Red surfaces or less, but its surfaces are mostly Brown.
The definition of a Red cent is a coin that has at least 95% Red and up to 100% Red surfaces. The definition of a Red Brown cent is a coin that contains from 5% to 95% Red surfaces. The definition of a Brown cent is a copper coin that contains 5% Red surfaces or less, but its surfaces are mostly Brown.
Sorry, but the definition of "Red Brown" is waaay to broad...5% to 95? Seriously?
I'm familiar with copper plumbing, which stays bright copper red unless you touch it with your hands, and then it turns brown. I'm assuming that copper/alloy coins work the same way, that a "red" cent is one that has not been touched by human hands.
willieboyd2 - perhaps that is the source of the phrase "not worth one red cent"? ;-)
Interesting how "red" isn't "red" as such. At least now I understand what it implies. Reminds me of some early stamps where varieties get confusing thanks to the shade of the inks, even some of the papers!
For me it's just a misleading terminology of a coins color. Not really Red. Just sort of Red. However, there are many shades and varidations of Red so could be correct.
Quote: I also have a "red penny" or "red cent" of a different kind:
When red is NOT red!
While your coin may certainly be different, I've seen this type of red toning many times on cents. For what I've seen, it's real toning and is unaffected by everything from water to solvents.
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Posted 10/30/2020 5:06 pm
