Just came across this gem on eBay. What on Earth am I seeing here? Is this a casting from a badly-damaged mold, foreign matter stuck to the coin, or what? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1865-INDIAN-HEAD-CENT-PENNY-Semi-Key-Date-Lot-704-/221039039018?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3376f4122a#ht_1612wt_926
it could have been a metal detect find or it could have been rusted or damaged dies but i think it looks cast cody
I think it is a damaged coin. Exposed to the elements and all. Doesn't look like a cast to me either. I've actually owned a couple bubbled common date coins that were authentic.