Petina vs BU

[reddirtcoins]

So for your personal stash (59-81) what do you prefer? A good petina or a nice BU type penny?
I've been sorting so many BU style pennies I just had to make a bag for myself. I'm really amazed at how many 59's, 61's, 64's and 77's look untouched.

[Know Common Cents]

You're right about the frequent BU (or close to it) '59-'79 coppers in circulation. Pretty plentiful. Glad to see each and every one in a roll, but give me one with a spectular rainbow patina and that's one immediately channeled into my personal collection.

Trying to get a full set of rainbows for the full Cu Memorial run of 59-82 and making some good progress. Not sure what I'll do with them once that's complete, but I enjoy a challenge of any type.

[ed_vantage17]

I go for the BU. Bought myself all 3 Whitman books and #2 and #3 are almost all full. I decided it will be 100% wild finds so there will probably be a few holes that'll never get filled, but it's fun to look. Found a 25D to fill a spot today.

[Hawkeye]

You're right about the frequent BU (or close to it) '59-'79 coppers in circulation. Pretty plentiful. Glad to see each and every one in a roll, but give me one with a spectular rainbow patina and that's one immediately channeled into my personal collection.

Trying to get a full set of rainbows for the full Cu Memorial run of 59-82 and making some good progress. Not sure what I'll do with them once that's complete, but I enjoy a challenge of any type.

I totally agree. I have albums that I'm trying to fill with BUs as I find them, which is enjoyable, but it would really be great to have a full set of rainbows. That would be very cool.

[NHsorter]

I have a fairly decent 1910 rainbow cent that I pulled out of the zinc output pile of the ryedale last night. Is there a premium for these? I don't recall ever seeing one that old with that coloring. It has a nice blue/green rainbow effect on both sides. I tried to get a good scan, but I just can;t get the real coloring to show up.

[realfoot]

i prefer bu.i got a 1956 d in au condition back for change the other day.nice little surprise.

[CoinHuntingObsession]

NH sorter, that is cleaned. CU value only for cleaned coins.

[NHsorter]

What tipped you off that it is cleaned? Just curious because I don't know how to tell. The scan did not come out looking much at all like the coin does in hand. I'll try to see if I can get a picture that shows it off better. It has nice rainbow coloring.

[Rob72830]

Nice coin. I hope to find a few like that. I would like to point out that you cannot find Brillant Uncirculated coins in those rolls of circulated cents. As soon as someone puts their fingers to a coin, it is circulated. Everytime a finger touches a coin, oils from the finger stays on the coin. The coin may still look uncirculated but technically it is AU or About Uncirculated. They can still look new with luster but unless it comes from a mint bag or a roll of brand new coins, you have to call it AU. Also, cleaned coins cannot be called BU or AU for that matter. Generally cleaned coins are worth less than their dirty counterparts. Sorry to bring all this up, I was a coin collector before I was a hoarder. The signs of cleaning are a coin that is obviously worn from circulation but is shiny, tiny scratches on the coin from being rubbed clean with a rag, and if it is shiny, a cleaned coin will not have the cartwheel effect that BU or AU coin will have in the light. Hope this helps.

[CoinHuntingObsession]

"I would like to point out that you cannot find Brillant Uncirculated coins in those rolls of circulated cents"
um, yes you can, it is only AU when part of the coin is actually worn. searching rolls of circulated coins, you can find coins that PCGS or NGC or any other good grading service will call uncirculated.

[VWBEAMER]

What ever happened to the Copper penny Bullion Page?