Why not just bring it to a local coin shop and getting the opinion of a professional before spending the dough to send it in for grading? We are genuinely trying to save you the time and cash by telling you what you have is just a common plated cent. We see them all of the time here and nobody has ever returned to prove us incorrect, not one. If you are convinced otherwise, by all means, send it in, but be prepared for a large bill and quite a bit of disappointment. You may want to read this thread https://www.cointalk.com/threads/aluminum-penny-1974-vs-non-copper-penny-1972-denver-mint.262643/
Looks partially silver colored? I'd say it's a zinc coated chemistry experiment cent that they never heated making bronze (gold) and thus the zinc is rubbing off in spots. Or maybe the photos are just bad and it's a completely plated cent. Certainly looks like it could be based of the mushy details present on the reverse picture that tends to happen with plated designs losing some intricate detail.
So if I believe that I am president of the United States, that's good enough and because of that.... I am, right? If so, new law.... @mikeycoin is ordered to stop making ridiculous posts on this forum And don't worry, the only one that will be amazed here, is you, when NGC laughs at you for sending in a "one of a kind", plated coin.
If you must send it in, NGC is a good choice. I'm sure they will give you the same news you received here. Plated coins are very common.
If it comes back as you expect it to I'm sure many of us will be happy to eat a little crow. And I hope if it comes back as we expect, I hope you will graciously do likewise.
I read this entire thread. Few things: There is simply no need to type one sentence and then post it to the thread, only to follow it up with another, than another. Compose your thoughts, type them in the message box, then proofread it before hitting "post reply". We have many experienced collectors and dealers on this site. A few of them have commented on this thread. No one is trying to stem your enthusiasm for the topic, it's just that they've seen it before many times. Please send the coin to either NGC or PCGS for grading and then report back their conclusion.
Or they could have used the edit feature to edit their post when they had a new thought every 1.3 minutes.
I thought about doing that; although, is there a way to test the core of the coin? otherwise, I am still in the same situation. This is very odd to come across and anyone would be skeptical. I might do that today; I know a coin dealer here in town. I am a member at NGC and when the money is right, I would send for real testing. Trust me, this coin deserves the right attention for professional testing. All I can say is that it could be some sort of foreign planchet or, like I originally thought, a test piece from the 82' transitional period; could be antimony? A mixture of metals? I just dont know; I have come across plated cents in the past