Tips From the Grading Room Part 5

Welcome to Tips from the Grading Room. This time, we'll shift gears a bit, and take a look at color on copper coins.

PCGS designates three color states for all copper coins: Red, Red and Brown, and Brown. Of course, copper coins come in an almost infinite variety of color shades, so the category of "red and brown" for instance, encompasses a wide range of colors ranging from just a bit of brown in color, to just a bit of red.

The following are detailed descriptions of each color state, followed by a look at some Lincoln Cents. Next time, we'll look at some Indian Cents.

Red (RD) is the designation that follows the numerical grade of MS/PR copper coins that are still in full mint bloom, with original color as struck and only slight diminishing of the luster or reflectivity is allowed. There must be at least 95 percent of the red color on both sides of the coins.

In the highest grades (MS/PR-69/70), only the slightest mellowing of color is allowed. In the high grades (MS/PR-67/68), slight mellowing to some mellowing of color is allowed, but if a coin has exceptional luster/reflectivity the mellowing that is allowed is proportional to these elements. In the middle grades (MS/PR-64/66), some mellowing is expected. The amount of mellowing is now proportional to the luster/reflectivity and the spotting allowed for each of these grades. In the lower grades (MS/PR-60/63), considerable mellowing of the color is allowed, and since spotting is often the reason for these grades, it is the factor that often determines the amount of mellowing allowed.

Red-Brown (RB) is the designation following the numerical grade of MS/PR copper coins that have lost some (5 to 95 percent) of their original mint color. This encompasses a very wide spectrum of colors. The coin's colors can range from nearly full mint red to mostly brown or tan.

Mint State coins tend to have more brown mixed with the red color and Proof coins seem to have more tan mixed with the red color, but there are exceptions (some Proof Indian cents have a purple color, etc.). Severely faded red coins (that may have little or no brown) are called RB instead of RD. Also, coins with very little red (i.e. 5 percent) that are almost completely brown are designated RB. Spotting is allowed, although in higher grades (MS/PR-65/66) this will be extremely minor, usually noticeable only under magnification. In grades MS/PR-67 and above, spotting is almost never allowed; however, a minor spot or two may be allowed if compensated for by superior luster/reflectivity or intensity of color. In lower grades (MS/PR-64 and below), excessive spotting can result in the coin's not being graded (obviously, no coin would attain MS/PR-65 or higher with noticeable spotting). Note: A coin with one side full original red and the other side fully brown, or with only traces of red, will be designated RB.

Brown (BN) is the designation following the numerical grade of MS/PR copper coins that usually have 5 percent or less of their original color. Most coins with this designation will have either a smooth, light-to-dark brown color or a light-to-streaky tan color with only tinges of red, if any at all. Some coins will have up to 10 percent red on one side of the coin and no red, or only trace amounts of red on the other side, and will be designated BN.

Although unevenness of color is nonexistent for smooth brown or tan coins, for streaky brown or tan coins the amount of unevenness allowed in MS/PR-67/69 is very minor. For grades MS/PR-64/66, a moderate amount of unevenness of color is allowed. For MS/PR-63 and below grades, streaky or uneven color is common (usually one of the reasons for the grade). Minor spotting is allowed in the higher grades (MS/PR-65 and above), although for grades above MS/PR-66 this must be microscopic. For grades MS/PR-64 and below, there may be considerable spotting, but excessive or massive spotting will always reduce the grade and in some cases may result in the coin's not being graded. Note: Many BN coins will have diminished luster or reflectivity, with a few having lost almost all bloom (this, of course, will negatively affect the numerical grade). Some BN coins will still retain exceptional luster or reflectivity.