1808 large cent puzzle

[260sundancer]

Found this coin at the beach where the sand was pumped from dredged harbor. Found many other silver coins rings watches pocket knifes and clad coins along with the usual junk. Any one know how this coin could have ended up with the reverse side looking this way

 

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[Icewing]

My guess is heat, it reminds me a lot of http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/553551-my-first-barber-half-dollar.html

 

[gheenoe78]

Saltwater can wreck havoc on copper. I have some copper and copper/zinc coins with corrosion like that I found on beaches affected by tidal brackish water.

 

[260sundancer]

I have the same but it always affects both sides of the coin

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the find!

The obverse looks very good for an 1808 LC. Unfortunately, mine are usually toasted from the farm fields.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Possibly a very crude attempt at “Love tokening” the coin, or some juvenile damage before it was lost?

 

[against the wind]

It could be the coin was laying reverse side up so it took the wear and tear of sand washing over it.

 

[Louisiana Ken]

[emoji115] what he said

 

[sandchip]

I agree.

 

[Scrappy]

That’s a dandy. Perhaps marine growth such as barnacles on one side. Those can easily corrode metals over time and I’ve seen it on brass propellers. It looks a lot like that. Perhaps it was marine electrolysis, which is common on ships and boats. Whatever it was, I’m sure that the exposed side while laying on the bottom was the worn side. Sure, duh, but that tells me whatever caused the damage was topical, which removes wave action and fire as possible causes.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I like Against The Wind's theory. At least you can get a date off the obverse though.

 

[Mackaydon]

The coin could have been the top of a stacked group; the lower side being protected.
Don.....

 

[neodetectorist]

Any pictures of the rings and silver coins?
Nice haul.

 

[RobRieman]

I like it like that! Gives it a lot of character.