1851 Braided Hair 1/2 Cent - what is going on with it???

Hi,
Here is my 1851 braided hair 1/2 cent. Two items...

1) I think its been cleaned as on the close up of the obverse, i see many vertical lines especially behind Lady Liberty's head (see close up). Is that evidence of cleaning?

2) The coin has a shiny, coppery, golden color to it. Yet, in several places on the obverse and reverse, that surface seems to be flaking off. What is that?

Given these two items, any guess to its worth? To me, it doesn't seem to have much wear to it.

Many thanks!!

 

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Back in the good ole days it wasn't unusual for a fellow to polish up his coin nice and pretty then coat it with shellac. Not saying that's what you have here. I dunno.

 

It looks like it was corroded and probably not very attractive. Then someone came along and "fixed it up".

 

There’s plenty of wear evident, it looks to have been improperly cleaned as it doesn’t look its’ age color-wise and was cleaned in the first place due to environmental damage.

Research the specific date for mintage/key date…Spark

 

I think it looks like it has been plated or painted, along time ago.

 

Sure looks like it. I wonder if someone was trying to pass it off as a gold coin, not sure which is close to that size.

 

I have seen large cents that were cleaned, plated and had non precious stones mounted into their surface to make them into jewelry. They also had a hole, which this piece does not have.

The 1849 large date to 1857 half cents, excluding the 1852 which is a Proof only date, circulated very little. Unless they have been cleaned, it’s rare to see one in less than EF by honest wear. This one has been abused extensively. The 1851 is the most common date among the group, and dealers find that these coins are not “easy sells.” There is not much value here.