1859 one cent

General discussions about canadian coins.
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jayjewell189
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:02 pm

1859 one cent

Post by jayjewell189 » Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:52 pm

Hello,
I believe that I have a brass coin, it has some yellowish color to it. Is there a sure way to tell if it is brass?
Thanks

Bill in Burl
Posts: 1470
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:41 am
Location: Golden Horseshoe, ONT

Re: 1859 one cent

Post by Bill in Burl » Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:43 pm

Only by XRF to tell for sure. There are many many many '59's that appear a little yellow .. but it's caused by any one of 20 household cleaning agents that you can find under most anyone's kitchen sink. There are a few "general" markers, but a photo would tell us for sure.
Bill in Burl

g.nemetchek
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:13 pm

Re: 1859 one cent

Post by g.nemetchek » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:36 pm

Bill, do you have a brass one? I'd like to see one if you do.

Bill in Burl
Posts: 1470
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:41 am
Location: Golden Horseshoe, ONT

Re: 1859 one cent

Post by Bill in Burl » Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:59 pm

I believe that there are only 4-5 known ... the Currency museum in Ottawa has one and I have a friend that has one, but me, no. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of "looks yellow" coins and none are evn close. Any oxidizing agent turns bronze yellowy.
Bill in Burl

g.nemetchek
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:13 pm

Re: 1859 one cent

Post by g.nemetchek » Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:04 pm

OK, I didn't realize they were that rare. I guess there's no real point in trying to figure out if the ones I get in are brass. Life's to short to keep looking for that needle in a haystack....thanks for the info.

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