What’s the right look for early copper?

[WinstonWare]

I’m casually browsing early copper – mostly the draped bust design – and I see a number of coins with what I would call “blotchy” areas. Generally speaking I would avoid any silver coin with blotchy areas. In early copper are blotchy areas considered detrimental to the coins eye appeal? Also, shouldn’t the coin be mostly chocolate brown? I see a few that are almost as light as pumpkin color. I’d also be interested in reading any other insight into evaluating the eye-appeal of early copper.

 

Thanks for any thoughts! Winston

 

[MunkyMan95]

I like chocolate.

[EZ_E]

Winston, I'm confident that all of the coppers below are original except for the 1794, which I know for certain is not.

[michael]

 

What’s the right look for pre-1814 early copper?

 

 

non porous no mirco porosity, light brown surfaces, with no black coloration areas or rough areas on the planchets and no re-coloration

 

good luck finding it and sometimes with certain dates or the classic head cent series just impossible to find

[EZ_E]

What’s the right look for pre-1814 early copper?

 

 

non porous no mirco porosity, light brown surfaces, with no black coloration areas or rough areas on the planchets and no re-coloration

 

good luck finding it and sometimes with certain dates or the classic head cent series just impossible to find

 

Mike sums it up very well. Classic head cents are so rare with a nice planchet that I'm priced out of them. Bill Jones shared his AU example last week or so. Man, it was a life changing moment! So gorgeous!

 

Here's a lg ct that I got from the 10-19-07 Scotsman auction. It has a look that mesmerized me the same way I was with Audrey Hepburn the first time that I saw Roman Holiday.

 

 

James Garcia's catalog description:

 

A pleasing, clean, and bold appearance describes this attractive large cent. Free of any planchet issues and pretty well preserved. The lack of a serif on the date’s first digit specifies a “small date” variety, while the large size of the denomination clearly suggests a “large fraction” attribution. Being of perfect color and practically free of any post mint impairments, the net grade is almost commensurate with the details grade with only a tiny blemish on the forehead and a couple of minute ticks in the right obverse field warranting mention. EAC 20.

 

[michael]

superb with great surfaces and a really good look

[WinstonWare]

Thanks for the replies (thumbs u

[bartlesvilleok]

I think it depends on the coin. Most the time I like them a light brown color however I also like awesome colors on my judd 413 which is odd because most the time I dont like a blue color on coppers but some coins pull it off nicely.

[BillJones]

Here are some examples of a really choice look for the grade.

 

1855 half cent, MS-64, R&B

 

 

1795 half cent, AU-58

 

 

1857 large cent, Raw, MS-63+4, Brown. Note the "gloss" from the mint surfaces and a touch of red on the reverse.

 

 

1795 large cent, plain edge, MS-62, Brown

 

[WinstonWare]

Thanks Bill. Great coins!

[EZ_E]

Bill, you know that you're my numismatic god and that I light incense to you daily, but I still don't think it fair to show the 1795 half cent as an example of originality. It is a beautiful coin and should be slabbed but it should be recognized for what it is.

[Conder101]

For what I collect, if I can afford it, it has the right look.