I can't explain the post mint damage on this one. It's like a chunk of metal from somewhere has been struck right into this 95% copper wheat. Maybe heat or extremely corrosive liquid. I give up, what did they do to this poor, innocent penny? Thanks again for any replies.
Interesting! Could have been from someone's crystal radio! 3 pennies and a low impedance speaker etc. good theory
I'll guess it was used in an old electrical box behind a screw in fuse. Quick way to have power till you could go get a new fuse. Not very safe but folks did it.
I've seen it many times in old houses that I worked on. Put a penny in the fuse box. Very dangerous, but, they did it plenty.