Cents that are newer than 1982 are zinc with a super thin coating of copper. On yours, the copper has worn off, showing the zinc underneath. Cents that get ran over by cars look like that.
I have one similar to that, but mine doesn't have the coarseness and scratches you'd expect from being roadkill; my impression with mine is that (1) the plating process didn't go well or (2) it stuck to something and didn't get plated in certain places. There is a forum, Coin Collecting - CoinTalk.com - Home, where someone will be able to tell you whether yours has pre-release errors or post-mint damage.