Red, Red/Brown & Brown?

[Guest]

Still learning - still transitioning from Lincoln Cent accumulator to Lincoln Cent collector . . . . Is there a good illustration of the differences between red, red/brown and brown cents on LCR - or elsewhere? I have a copy of the ANA Grading Standards [Whitman] and I've read through it - but as I continue to learn to grade cents, I'm still not sure how to definitively recognize coin color - especially on AU & MS cents. Any and all help appreciated!
Thanks In Advance!!!
Danoman

[DCW]

I think you'll find it subjective. Anacs, for instance, routinely calls full red coins RB. Other times, they forget to put the color designation on the slab entirely.
I believe the general consensus is that a RB coin falls within 20%-95% red remaining on the coin, which is a pretty wide spectrum. Any less is BN. Full red should be just that, completely red.

[Maineman750]

Google some PCGS slabbed Lincoln Cents to get an idea...as Dennis mentioned, it is subjective so you'll never get it perfect.

[rlm's cents]

From the PCGS Glossary http://www.pcgs.com/Lingo/R

Red-Brown A copper coin that has from 5 to 95 percent of its original mint color remaining (RB).

[jcuve]

Photographing and then seeing coin pictures on a computer will never give you a good idea of RB - it varies (as noted) but the added variability of cameras and display equipment makes what can be a fine difference, impossible to detect. I would suggest going to a coin shop and look at examples to get a better idea.