This is a Coronet Head Cent issued from 1816-1857. It appears to have some very nice detail but sadly the encrustation is a problem. It looks to possibly have been buried in the ground and might have been a metal detector find. I'm not an expert on these but I would guess the condition to be around "Fine" which would put this in or around the $50.00 price range in current guides if it were clean and without the crust. This may be a variety as there appears to be doubling on the reverse, right hand leaves. But do wait for someone with more knowledge to chime in. And do not attempt to clean this up until you can get some advice from the folks here.
Welcome to CT Annrobin. I agree with what @tommyc03 posted. Looks like environmental damage due to possibly being in the ground for some time. And as he said, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT. A long soak in acetone might lift some of the debris off of the surface without damaging the coin and give you a better look at what is under it. No scrubbing or rubbing, just let it soak with some mild agitation occasionally and then let it air dry.
Braided hair large cent with environmental damage. Looks like F sharpness but in this condition it worth maybe $10 or so.