Canada,1859 Narrow 9 Brass. 0

[MichaelMMcoin]

Hello, I had some questions about the 1859 narrow 9. Brass Canada Cent. Could someone please inform me of some of the identifiers of this rarity? I have identified some; one of which is an arc die break line under 18 of the date; I found this same (arch like) die line on genuine specimens sold by Heritage Auctions. I found that most of the markers can be found on my coin. My coin is unusually thin as well;I compared in a picture next to my loupe. My coin weighs in at 4.4 grams, is decently yellow as well. Any information would be good for me because I really want to send this coin in for authentication. Oh, one last thing is that my coin has a greater diameter than other cents; I would say about .5--7mm

[MichaelMMcoin]

Here are some pictures

[MichaelMMcoin]

Here is a genuine example from Heritage Auctions with the same markers such as the arc under 18 die break

Edited August 8, 2020 by MichaelMMcoin
Photo

[kbbpll]

I would post it on CCF. A lot of 1859 collectors hang out there. Someone might come along on here but it could take a while. I think you'd need an XRF analysis of the composition because the weight varied widely on these and the color could be deceiving.

[MichaelMMcoin]

Thanks

[Conder101]

Yes, without an XRF reading that showed an unusually high zinc content like maybe 15 - 20% zinc I wouldn't accept it a s brass.  To me cleaned copper/bronze can have the same appearance as brass.

[Greenstang]

There would be many copper coins minted with the same die marker as well. Also many household cleaners can change the colour of copper so you can't tell by that alone. As Conder101 stated, an XRF reading is a must to verify what you have.  There is no way of telling for sure by looking at it. Also I notice you posted in the Coins and Canada Forum. Wait for Bill to answer, he is an expert on these and help with advise. 

[Greenstang]

For those interested in this fairly common question, here is the answer that Bill posted on another forum.

Quote

There are no "markers" for a brass cent. Improper mixing of the bronze alloy into the small ingots resulted in small sections of the ingot to be more "brass-like". When the ingots were put through the rollers to make the sheets from which the planchets were punched, there were some small sections of the sheets that were zinc-rich, so the planchets that were struck had a higher zinc content than the tin. As such, maybe a small percentage of a small number of rolled sheets had sections that would resemble a type of brass rather than bronze. There are over 60 alloys that are categorized as a "brass" alloy. There's a very fine line between brass and bronze alloys at the low zinc end. The 1859 is known as "brass" only because it exceeded 5% zinc .. it's not really brass.

Who knows how many planchets that were above 5% zinc were struck. Since the planchets were random in the finished tubs/containers, any number of different working dies could have struck those special planchets that were randomly shot into the presses. The only way that you are going to find out if it's "brass" is to have someone take an XRF of it .. a good one calibrated for coins. One from a salvage/scrap yard or jeweler won't do it. A few of us did a lengthy research study on the brass 1859's and it was published in the CN Journal March 2012. If you are an RCNA member, you can access it through their library. Don't spend your money trying to get it cert'd until you have a valid XRF done. From my eye, it isn't a brass cent ... it is yellowish because someone cleaned it. You can turn any 1859 yellow by using any number of cleaners under the kitchen sink. Also, the 1858 and 1859 large cents are 1/3 thinner than 1876 and on, so yours is normal. And also, EVERY 1858 & '59 have a vine break at 7, except for 3 1858 working dies. The hub/matrix broke during the 3rd working die used so everything past there has a vine break at 7 .. that includes every 1859.

Please save or copy this explanation for reference everyone. I get tired of posting essentially the same thing every time someone thinks that they have a brass '59.