Weird Almost Mint? Penny

It could have been polished

Since 1972 is a year of the doubled die coin, some one probably did clean it to see if they could see any doubling what so ever on the coin itself.
Cleaned or polished coins typically are extra shiny is some locations, but the wording is usually still dirty around the letters and in the pockets of the letters such as the pocket of an A B D O P R.

Depending on the device that was used to clean a coin, there may be very light scratches on the surface of the coin. If it was hand cleaned, they can go in about any direction. With a buffing wheel, the light scratches are usually in a pattern.

A polished coin usually shows a shiny surface, but when looking under a Loupe, magnifying glass or microscope, you can see an area that looks really shiny but there is significant wear in that area.

I have seen all sorts of things tried. I have heard of Copper coins put in tomato sauce, brass cleaner, toothpaste, gas or kerosene, commercial off the shelf cleaners and more. Cleaned via wire brush, eraser, picks and retools, toothbrushes, emery cloth and the list goes on. NONE of those above mentioned ways are good for a coin.

good point. I love finding bright red 70's.