1983 LMC Dropped Letter Or Damage?

While the shape isn't exactly right, based on the curvature of the metal there, if a coin were turned upside down and pressed into this coin (like so many coins we see), then that would make this the bottom of the C of CENTS along with the middle crossbar and some of the upright of the E. Of course, nothing says the opposing coin would need to be a cent. If it were a pair of dropped letters, then the coins should show some incuse markings between them where the grease glob was that was keeping them together.

The letter impressions (I see an L and a partial C) are confined to the highest point on the base of the bust. The vertical bar of the L fades out as it heads into an area of lower relief. Both observations indicate that these letter impressions are contact marks from other coins. Damage, in other words.

Makecents, Thanks for the link and straightening my thinking out. I was thinking that the dropped letter was all copper and not dirt and grease. Thinking all copper, it would blend in with the rest of the coin, and not fall out. Grease and dirt wouldn't adhere to the rest of the coin and fall out leaving the incused letter.