Or their age, copper does turn get a patina over time. I get some zincolns that turn green incredible fast. But the zilcon green is more a deterioration of the coin rather than patina.
Well, after 1863 they are Bronze--rather than copper (Large Cents and Half Cents), copper-nickel (FE's and CW years IH's), or copper-zinc (Post-WWII wheats).
I have found a good many pre-WW II wheaties that were greenies as well.