1864 Indian head penny error or after mint damage?

[Guest]

i have an 1864 Indian head penny that is misshaped. I sent some pics to an auction site that does free appraisals and they said it looked damaged. Where the shape of the coin obviously changes there are no strike marks, scratches or any other signs of any kind of impact. The letters of STATES start to fade after the first S and stretch out. On the reverse side the full wreath is still visible and for the most part fairly even except for the middle where he ribbon is and that part of the coin is right before where the coin thins and changes shape. In the pics you’ll see what I’m talking about. Let me know your thoughts.
i know this is a Lincoln Memorial Cent forum I apologize just thought someone might have an idea of what this could be.

[makecents]

PSD (Post Strike Damage) and as for the smoothness and not being able to see the damage, 100 + years can easily make that happen.

[GrumpyEd]

PSD (Post Strike Damage) and as for the smoothness and not being able to see the damage, 100 + years can easily make that happen.

I agree, that's what it is!

[willbrooks]

Definitely damage and heavy circulation wear smoothed it over.

[jfines69]

I'm with the others... Pretty cool tho as it is 154 years old and we can still see the date... Heck I'll be lucky to get to 74 years old and be able to see any thing... Since your coin is not a lincoln I moved your thread to Off Topic Discussion!!!

[emodx]

I like it. Cool find.