Purple Toned Lincolns

[gmarguli]

I've noticed that when a Lincoln has taken a purple tone to it, you designate the coin as RB even if the coin is clearly all red with a purple tone lying on the surface. Why?

 

I've also noticed that when it comes to proofs, the same amount of purple will likely not get the coin designated as RB, but with rather retain the RD designation.

[John Maben]

Greg,

 

Mint state copper will sometimes take on various hues including purple and green. We tend not to call them red unless if we see them as being "full" red, but that can mean "subdued". Purple isn't red. However, sometimes orange would actually better describe a full red coin but I caution that orange can also be a strong indicator of artificial color.

 

There may be a bit more leeway in proofs simply because the highly reflective surfaces are more likely to have greater clarity in color and less likely to be truly full red and only red. Honestly, I am not sure why that's the case but I believe it to be true.

 

Also, consider that from my expierience, it is very difficult to get two numismatists to agree precisely on the exact way to describe certain colors. We all see them just a little bit different.......

 

John