No, the rim looks like that because it's fake. For some reason, most counterfeit Lincoln cents have the same issues with the rim.
I have no book guide that gives info on ddo fakes;so I can't give a value.i would not spend money on grading unless the dealer is spending his dime I would throw it in a junk draw.
A 1943 copper wheat penny is pretty rare. I'm certain that's fake. Only a few were in circulation and one recently sold five years ago for like a million dollars.
After several months of trying to find out about this penny I thought I would post what dealers have said about the coin. One dealer just said he didn't like the edge of the penny, 2 other dealers said it had 99% copper it should of had 80% copper and 20% zinc and that it would cost my brother, Mike, $2,500.00 to have it tested for sure. Thank you all for your input, it has been interesting. No matter what anyone thinks, my brother loves metal detecting and will continue to unearth history whether it be a monetary value or not. As for the penny, he will put it away knowing the excitement he felt when he found it. Thank you all again.
You need to avoid completely any coin shop told you it should be "80% copper and 20% zinc". They absolutely have no idea what they are talking about. Don't believe me? Try Wiki Composition; 1909–1942, 1944–1982: 95% copper, remainder tin or zinc 1943: zinc-plated steel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_cent