Indian Head Pennies

[Phlegm33]

As a real novice, I am struggling with the following on Indian Head Cents (1859-1909):

1. Why BN, RB, and RD?

2. Why does the certification only last 10 years on some of these?

 

thank you!

Daniel G.

[Matt G]

Thank you for your post. I have listed a link below which you may find very beneficial as it describes the grading process of the Lincoln Cents which touches on the designations. I also copied a few sections of our NGC Guarantee that describe the copper coin policy. 

https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-grading-guide/Grading-Lincoln-Cents.aspx

 

Deterioration of Certain Coins. The NGC Guarantee does not apply to certain Coins where the appearance of the Coin changes or deteriorates over time and such change or deterioration is responsible for any discrepancy between the assigned grade and the Coin’s actual grade. NGC shall make the sole reasonable determination as to whether this deterioration has occurred. The following specific parameters apply:

1. In certain Coins, natural environmental deterioration may cause undesired features to appear, such as (but not limited to) spotting, hazing, PVC and corrosion. Spots, for example, can occur on modern silver Coins as a result of the minting process or other natural conditions over which NGC has no control. Therefore, the NGC Guarantee does not apply to Coins exhibiting any of these issues.
2. Coins made of copper, bronze and brass or are copper-plated can change over time. Accordingly, with regard to copper, bronze, brass or copper-plated Coins graded by NGC, the grade portion of the NGC Guarantee will no longer apply after the 10-year anniversary of their date of encapsulation by NGC. The expiration date of the grade portion of the NGC Guarantee can be found by entering the Coin’s certification number in the Verify NGC Certification section of the NGC website or by contacting NGC Customer Service.