1851 Braided Hair 1/2 Cent - what is going on with it???

Hi,
Here is my 1851 braided hair 1/2 cent. Two items...

1) I think its been cleaned as on the close up of the obverse, i see many vertical lines especially behind Lady Liberty's head (see close up). Is that evidence of cleaning?

2) The coin has a shiny, coppery, golden color to it. Yet, in several places on the obverse and reverse, that surface seems to be flaking off. What is that?

Given these two items, any guess to its worth? To me, it doesn't seem to have much wear to it.

Many thanks!!

 

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Back in the good ole days it wasn't unusual for a fellow to polish up his coin nice and pretty then coat it with shellac. Not saying that's what you have here. I dunno.

 

It looks like it was corroded and probably not very attractive. Then someone came along and "fixed it up".

 

There’s plenty of wear evident, it looks to have been improperly cleaned as it doesn’t look its’ age color-wise and was cleaned in the first place due to environmental damage.

Research the specific date for mintage/key date…Spark

 

I think it looks like it has been plated or painted, along time ago.