I was bidding on this coin yesterday and didn't bid high enough. Final price was $117.50 with shipping. My hesitation to go higher was the color of the coin in the pics. In XF this coin would be in the $200's but if its been messed with not sure of the value. Could be the lighting?? https://www.ebay.com/itm/393442704935?hash=item5b9b033e27:g:wWYAAOSw1A5g71MZ#shpCntId
In his listing it states buyer pays for returns. The auction ended yesterday afternoon and the winner had not paid yet according to the seller. Might get a second chance offer.
A relatively new seller, from Spain, selling a US coin. My red flag antennas went up pretty quickly. I think you were smart to back off. Not worth the headache & hassle of the return process if the coin (or seller) isn't legit.
Until I saw that the seller was from Spain, I would have said keep bidding. Something has to be special for me to go through the hassle of shipping it from overseas, especially if a return might be involved.
Though the 1851/81 (inverted punch) US large cent costs slightly more, it is common. This coin does not appear to be the 51/81 (N-3) cent. All of those have a STRONG spike (inverted 1-serif) extending from the final 1. See pix below of the subject cent (1st pic) and an 1851/81 (N-3) cent.
I have seen the spike be next to impossible to see in late die state. I think you can see the overdate pretty clearly over the last 1 and the date position looks right. In xf grade its almost 4 times the price of a normal date 1851
Well struck, rim dink, but the bronze color indicates the coin has been improperly cleaned. May have been pink then retoned. IMO.
All said and done.... i think you will find a better example that you are happier with. I wouldnt be upset about it.... keep looking.