Characteristics of "Cleaned" Coins

Owner Comments:

I purchased this large cent at a local coin auction in February 2004 and submitted it for certification in April 2022. I knew that it had probably been recolored, although as I recall the auction company described it as an original red and brown piece. Others in attendance probably realized this, as it sold for a reasonable price. The NGC qualifier of "altered color" was as expected. To its credit the coin has no observable wear and was strongly struck with full star centers, which in my judgment makes it an appropriate coin for a type set. It also takes a better photograph. I determined the die variety to be N28, a scarce (high R4) variety. The coin was photographed before certification.

The "Redbook" has long included a warning in its listing of late date large cents for collectors to "[b]eware of slightly worn copper coins that have been cleaned and recolored to simulate Uncirculated luster". This chemical recoloring, with or without other forms of "cleaning", is also found on uncirculated pieces due to the strong premium paid for original mint color, which is perishable in any event. Such recoloring on this coin can be identified by a pinkish rather than orange hue and somewhat unusual toning pattern. Nevertheless, even coppers specialists can disagree over whether a purportedly "red" or "red and brown" coin has original color.