Many years ago I had a cast copy of a Spanish cobb coin. I knew in my heart and soul it was genuine pirate treasure. No matter how many gently tried to persuade me that it was a cast copy, I wouldn't hear of it. Fortunately with age comes wisdom and humility. Yes, that cobb coin was a copy. And yes your cent has been manipulated in somebody's garage in an attempt to fool a suggestive person. Your cent is in fact damaged and altered. I am sorry.
If that cent has value to you for merely existing and filling a hole in your collection that is terrific. The reason for the cents condition is two fold. That being, post mint damage and circulation wear and tear. You should understand, for future reference, any valueble error you may find that occurred during the minting process would immediately be compromised due handling your coins with dirty hands.
A vice may have been used but I'm thinking a stack of cents and a few hits from a hammer were used to create this. Does not look like an error to me.
The question "How" can be self taught. use a vice, squeeze two cents together in the same orientation that is seen on the coin (or a couple coins and a hammer). First time is just a test, continue to improve your methods until you duplicate it completely. Also, do not forget, if these coins are taken out of circulation at some point you do not have the complete history of any damage done before or after it was damaged as you see. Upon continued experimentation, you'll quickly realize, everyone above was correct.
the only error here is that you arent listening to the members at all. i understand that you WANT it to be an error but it isnt. it is DAMAGED
I think you should stop collecting coins and take up collecting manhole covers. You are less likely to find one damaged while in use. Right @paddyman98 ? Chris
ooh, by the way Between the 1 and 6 o'clock position, the coin is deformed (smooshed) outwards. ie, it's not round. ie, therefore it was not in a collar when this was done. This is also easily replicated. As mentioned in my previous post, just do your own tests. Also keep in mind, since the coin surface is not flat (except for the edges) you'll more than likely press a side of it to get some text imprinted as the coin will kink to one side from the uneven (Abe sticks up a lot right smack in the middle for some reason) surface, and more than likely get similar results as you see. The pressure of the Mint press, which is many more tons of instant pressure, would have had a much different look to it. Your " local pgcs grader just took a quick look and said it was probably from a vise" probably has seen hundreds if not thousands of similar examples. you might want to heed their advice. Or at least do your own experiments.
Is this question for real? Do you REALLY think the Mint did that? At least he didn't ask for a value...
If the OP thinks his cent is an error he should PM me: I'm about to go out to my garage with a pocketful of cents... Steve
Or hey, go ahead and send it in to be graded. It's not like PCGS needs the money, but they will tell you the same thing . Just like I TRY to emphasize to other inquirers, trust what these guys have to say. they realy know their stuff. These Dudes and Dudettes have put in all the years of experience and problem solving that has led them here. And I'm thankful and appreciative to them for that. I know it seems like we're coming down hard on you, but many here have given you the answer, even the PGCS (as you put it) grader told you the same thing
They aren't "bent" they are damaged. The lines or "hairs on the wheat" that are taking off at an angle are lines from a scrape. If it was done while in the collar, the coin would still be round.
You definitely should save this coin. If you decide to get serious about coin collecting, and learn how coins are made and what can happen during the minting process this coin would be a good reminder. One day you will look at it and wonder how you could ever have thought something so obviously damaged was an error! Numismatics is always a learning experience, this is my 50th year in it and I learn new things all the time.