Colo(u)r of British coppers

[Jennings 1]

Having recently started in on 1860-1956 Farthings, I've noticed a wide variation in the colo(u)r of the "BU" specimens. Did the metallic composition of the Farthing change at some point? I'm aware of the artifically blackened ones (which I find absolutely beautiful), but I've seen otherwise "BU" ones which range from a bright copper color to an almost gold (with a slight greenish cast).

I'm comparing this to American pennies of the same vintage, which in BU tend to be either bright red (copper) or a pleasing milk chocolate brown color, depending on how they've been stored.

Any thoughts?

J

[Chris Perkins 228]

According to Freeman farthings (and the other bronze coins) are composed of:

1860 - 1922 95% Copper, 4% Tin and 1% Zinc (although variations did occur)

1923 - 1942 95.5% Copper, 3% Tin and 1.5% Zinc

1942 - 1945 97% Copper, 0.5% Tin and 3.5% Zinc

1945 - 1956 (as 1923 - 1942)

[Master Jmd 88]

ones which range from a bright copper color to an almost gold (with a slight greenish cast).

(Comparing to my own farthings)

You should find that the early Victorian Bronze (1860-1880), and the 'non-darkened' George V (1918-1936) Farthings are gold in colour with a brilliant shine to them. The latter Victorian (1881-1895), and the Wren design (1937-1956) Farthings have a bright copper colour with a sharper strike.

I am not sure what you mean by greenish though?

[Sylvester 15]

I am not sure what you mean by greenish though?

I know what he means, hard to describe though.

Like brass has a greenish colour to it.

[Master Jmd 88]

Like brass has a greenish colour to it.

Ah, i get it now

...but i cant really see any kind of greenish on my farthings...

[Sylvester 15]

It depends entirely upon the tone, the way the light is reflected off of them, also how wide you interpet the green colour spectrum (totally individual) would you shove and olive/mustard colour in yellow or in green? (Females would generally just invent a new term for it like oh for the sake of explanation; mauve).

When we are saying green here we do not mean plain green that say a child's toy would be made out of, if you're looking for leaf green forget it.

If we want to get all female about it we could call it a slightly lighter shade of darker olive grey with a hint of puce and a sprinkling of mauve. Which would be an interesting colour that i'd file under the blanket term of say brown.

But for the purposes of simplification just call it 'green'

[Sylvester 15]

Like brass has a greenish colour to it.

Ah, i get it now

...but i cant really see any kind of greenish on my farthings...

Not that you'd want to see green on your farthings anyhow...

[Emperor Oli 0]

Lord no! I've had that trauma and it's not something I'd like to repeat!

[Jennings 1]

Thanks for the info chaps. By "green" I mean that I've seen some which are decidedly gold colored, but with a greenish cast to them. Not verdigris or anything, just a greenish cast such as brass has when compared to actual gold.

I just love all the "brilliant" and "full lustre" Farthings I see on eBay that literally jump off the monitor screen screaming "I'VE BEEN CLEANED!!!!" at the top of their little lungs Copper that's been cleaned is SO easy to spot, yet people just keep on buying it and paying a premium for the privilege!

Thanks again for the info.

J

[Unknown 0]

I still do not know the difference between the ones that has been cleaned and the one that hasn't... I guess I will learn with time...

[Sylvester 15]

I still do not know the difference between the ones that has been cleaned and the one that hasn't... I guess I will learn with time...

Best way to learn is by DIY.

Get some decimal pennies out of circulation preferably ones dated 1971-1991 (cos they are bronze not plated) and clean a few of them, give them a really good polish. Then find a true shiny bronze coin that you may have and compare the two, there's nothing like it, you'll soon see.

Look at the lustre between the two, flat lustre of the cleaned, shiny depth of the natural. It's kinda like those hair adverts...

[Sylvester 15]

talking of hair look for hairline scratches on the ones you cleaned.

[Unknown 0]

I will look at my hundreds of duplicates, what should I use for the polishing?

[Master Jmd 88]

I will look at my hundreds of duplicates, what should I use for the polishing?

if you do not have any sort of cleaning polish you can use coke

[Unknown 0]

Don't have coke either, hate that stuff, I only use it for rusty nuts on the car, when I have nothing else at hand, it works a treat… guess what it is made off!...

[Sylvester 15]

Household polish should do the trick.

Also soap and warm water... it won't be an easy task but just give it your best shot, and use circular motions with the cloth, it'll get you plenty of hairline scratches.

Once you've seen a coin properly cleaned you'll not want to see too many more of them.

Another thing you can look at is those sets they sell at souvenier shops for tourists they are usually dipped/polished to oblivion. Well it saves you cleaning one.

But if you clean a few pennies in circ... oh i've just had a though try salt and bicarb soda... but not together.

I know salt can be used to shift tea stains in cups and bicarbonate of soda is just fantastic for cleaning all matter of stuff like teeth.

Have an experiment or two, then once you've done chuck em back in circulation.

Feel free to try vinegar too.

[Unknown 0]

Thanks, I'll do so! So I do not waste some of the duplicates..

[Jennings 1]

rusty nuts

Rusty nuts? Ouch!

Oh... not that kind of nuts