When I got the coin it was badly burned and covered in black stuff. It wasn't presentable so I did clean it by electrolysis. I did scratch it up a little in the process. I've taken this coin to 2 local dealers and they weren't sure about the authenticity of it. The dealers were leaning towards "its a fake, but don't take our word for it". They pointed out that the date plus a bump in front of the head looked suspicious. Is it possible that the fire damage could have added the bumps? I'm eventually wanting to sell it, so I'd like to get some definitive proof whether its genuine or not. Thanks.
Yep, that's a modern Chinese counterfeit. Mushy, pitted devices... Date too large...Funky color... It's definitely fake.
They are cranking them out like nobodies business in China and shipping them over to the USA via gullible eBay buyers.
If it's a Chinese counterfeit, here's all its cousins back in China -- 100kg of fake half cents, large cents, and Indians.