Teach me about this 1857 Flying Eagle Cent...

Hi All,

I am still learning the art of coin collecting and need some guidance please.

Here is my 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, and I am a bit unsure as to how to sell it.

1) I think it has been cleaned as I see debris in areas such as the 8 and 5 and some of the letters, but the larger, flatter surface areas are clean. Is this evidence of cleaning?

2) I seem to see these striations in the metal on both sides but especially from behind the eagles right wing to the "AME" in America. It appears, to me, that the metal was somehow stressed during the minting process. I don't know what to make of that - any thoughts?

3) I might put a grade on this of VF-30 but if its been cleaned, it won't straight grade.
Even if this was cleaned, would this be a candidate for an auction house like Great Collections anyway or perhaps a better avenue would be eBay?

4) Finally, any guess as to the value?

Many thanks for your thoughts and teaching me.

 

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I say a Fine 15. very possible it has been cleaned but really hard to tell from photos. $30 on a good day. Not a very attractive coin!!

 

My initial thoughts lead me to cleaned after environmental damage. I think $15 is a fair price on a good day.

 

Someone would like it for their Whitman.