Copper, Bronze & Lustre

[sound 25]

Hi,

Deep into pennies at the moment.

Lustre has a lot to do with valuation. Question: what is it? I know what I think it is but the web supplies conflicting ideas. For example, the ability to reflect light as per original strike. Another site says colour.

Regards

Sound

[Peckris 579]

Hi,

Deep into pennies at the moment.

Lustre has a lot to do with valuation. Question: what is it? I know what I think it is but the web supplies conflicting ideas. For example, the ability to reflect light as per original strike. Another site says colour.

Regards

Sound

Lustre is a actually a property of the prepared blank, and as you say, it imparts a reflective quality to the coin. As it wears, that special surface disappears and so the lustre gradually goes. It does vary a lot in colour, but think of it more as 'reflectivity' and you won't go far wrong (though 'colour' is generally how it appears to the eye).

[sound 25]

Thanks, that's my understanding, you just put it so well.

So a virtually completely toned Victorian penny can still have full lustre?

Sound

[Coinery 1,156]

Thanks, that's my understanding, you just put it so well.

So a virtually completely toned Victorian penny can still have full lustre?

Sound

Yes, and be quite dazzling for it too, a rich shimmering tone!

The one very important thing to remember is lustre-shine and reflectivity are not the same thing as a shiny coin, which will likely be cleaned or polished!

Lustre has a luminance about it, definitely 'shimmering,' whereas a polished coin most certainly does not!

Welcome aboard sound!

[sound 25]

Is the removal of lustre caused by handling alone?

[Peter 615]

Is the removal of lustre caused by handling alone?

Not in my experience.

[Colin G. 147]

Storage conditions can also have a major affect on lustre, in my opinion lustre can be removed by other factors..

[sound 25]

Ok. Can you explain further?

If I was to purchase a coin with 100% lustre. As the lustre deteriate s presumably my coin is losing value.

What will cause it to lose lustre, how can I protect it?

Regards

Sound

[Peckris 579]

Is the removal of lustre caused by handling alone?

Well that's a complicated question. Circulation is the biggest factor, but also environmental conditions must be taken into account : burial, salt air on coasts, poor storage (PVC), etc etc. But stored adequately, a coin's lustre will last indefinitely, though it may tone and/or fade. But it is still there, technically. As Coinery says, a shimmering but toned coin (copper/bronze) can be fully lustrous!

Just make sure you store properly - PVC-free plastic flips, cabinets, trays are the best. Keep free from environmental pollutants, but don't get too hung up about lustre fading or toning. It's not the same as circulation wear, and only the money of determined but ignorant buyers will say otherwise.

[sound 25]

Peckris,

Thank you for that. Just the clarification I have been looking for.

I store my coins in the purpose made capsules in a dry, dark safe at room temperature.

Thank you all. Much is written about grading but noticed little said about lustre. Yet it seemed so important in connection with copper & bronze.

Kind regards

Sound

[Coinery 1,156]

Quality-strike and lustre (and sometimes tone), is a lot of what it's all about, Sound, for the silver, CU, AU, and Coppe/Bronze collectors ! It's the holy grail for as far back as it's possible to get a lustred coin, whereafter tone becomes the measure.

[Colin88 54]

A damp atmosphere is one of the biggest killers of lustre...the best thing to do is to sell your house and move to the South of France...

[Coinery 1,156]

A damp atmosphere is one of the biggest killers of lustre...the best thing to do is to sell your house and move to the South of France...

[Peter 615]

Plenty of thrupenny bits on the beaches go round and oil these.

[Peckris 579]

Plenty of thrupenny bits on the beaches go round and oil these.

Wasn't there a Peter Perv on Blue Peter once upon a time?

[copper123 1,492]

yes and Ann Robinson accused him of killing shep - the evil bitch.

And it was purvis I think all the pervs were on top of the pops after legs and co - or maybe something a bit younger