if it is in decent shape i would definatley try to resale it....if it is nice looking or ornate in any way it will not have to be in excellent condition to get good money from it....from what i have seen brass and copper can both get a greenish look to them with age...i have some old apple butter kettles that are black as cole and they are solid copper..all you really need to do is scrach it and the color will tell you what it is....make sure in is not magnetic first