Copper colour

Hi all, 

As initial disclaimer, I know VERY little about copper coins but tried to read up on RB, RN etc and found most of it rather unhelpful in the abstract (it all also seemed super US coin focused). So I figured I'd turn to you for some knowledge with two coins I recently got. I intend to probably keep both, but for the sake of discussion: Purely based on colour and ignoring things like the rim dent on the left one, which one (if any) would you hang on to and why? 

Detail left: 

Detail right: 

Best, 

53th0s

PS: coin (actually token) in question  N#272

When comparing coins I rarely get down to color. But if two coins were in the same condition and had the same non-color visual appeal I would look at three things:

• Does the color look natural? (The color on the left coin seems a little strange to me from the pictures.)
• Is the color consistent? (The two head pictures both have inconsistent color, but the coin on the left has a blotch over the date.
• Does the color make it hard to see the details? (From the pictures it seems easier to see details in the coin on the left, but is that from color or wear?)

bjherbison

When comparing coins I rarely get down to color. But if two coins were in the same condition and had the same non-color visual appeal I would look at three things:

• Does the color look natural? (The color on the left coin seems a little strange to me from the pictures.)
• Is the color consistent? (The two head pictures both have inconsistent color, but the coin on the left has a blotch over the date.
• Does the color make it hard to see the details? (From the pictures it seems easier to see details in the coin on the left, but is that from color or wear?)

 

Thanks, appreciate the response! It doesn't come across on the pictures unfortunately, the coin on the right has a real reddish shine to it, the one on the left is dull in comparison. In normal light it's indeed easier to see the design on the left one. That's why I was wondering how others would regard the colour.  

Sorry, but I have photographed a lot of copper coins, and I don't trust how the photos turn out, based on light levels, background, etc.  

I would keep the ones that appeal most to you, perhaps also applying the general rule that 100+ year old coins that have circulated will naturally have a dark patina.