Red Cent

[lineop3]

I hear about the "Red Cent", that don't look red at all. I have a few Lincolns that's literally red. How did the "Red Cent" get it's name and how did my red cents turn out to be... red?

[kloccwork419]

If they are really RED then its most likely from being buried or high heat.

Red cents as in MS64 Red is just saying that its still that bright copper color and not brown. Not sure exactly why they say red instead of anything else but they do.

[Brad]

The first small cents (Indians 1959-1963) had a different composition and were called white cents. The didn't look white either. But in comparing a 1963 cent with a new 1965 cent I could easily see someone saying "This one looks whiter and this one looks more red".

[DWK]

Brad: I thnk you meant 1859-1863.

(Just in case someone gets confused)

DWK

[RWBILLER]

Hi:
Everybody wrong the answer is :
A red cent was a paper token, colored red. During WWII they were used for change in return for rationing coupons.
roger

[1gtsfan]

when photographing mint state coins with original luster, the very high grade coins sometimes give off this interesting red glow in the photo. this is a very good way to identify high grade coins.