1848 Braided Hair one cent

Hello Everyone. I wanted you all to take a look at this 1848 one cent piece. Is this some form of error or some tragic act of vandalism ? Its in rough shape but I wanted to run it buy the group to see if it's special or just just another beat up penny. Thank you all in advance.
Cheers.

 

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vandalism.

 

My first thought is a counterstamp gone bad. It was common for merchants to counterstamp coins back in those days. And my second instinct is that old copper spent a substantial portion of its life in the ground. So I am thinking a counterstamp that has experienced corrosion.

 

Thank you. Excellent response that seems very logical.

 

Thank you.

 

Looks like someone tried to engrave their name/business into it.

 

I concur with your assessment, Randy.

 

Yeah its looks like it says ....rice JR 123 something or another

 

Thank you all.

 

Thanks Robert.