Half cent probably cleaned 100 years ago. No scratches on it though. Maybe dipped. I thought the 1879 s was at least a 62
Very nice H1/2C. It looks impossibly red, but maybe that's just the camera flash doing that. As Matt once said, it's hard to find a problem free Half Cent.
Someone used an acid based cleaner /dip to try and lighten its color. Vinegar was use for such over 100 years ago, or maybe Taco Bell sauce a couple of years ago. Once cleaned like that, it takes a very long time to revert. The pinkish tinge would only naturally be present if just minted recently.
Half cent obvious cleaned has that pink cast 200 year old copper never would have unless recently cleaned. Too bad as it's got nice detail put it in a Manila envelope for a few years and wait for it to turn brown
