2002 Quarter Lettering Flat

Looks to me like a partially Grease Filled Die.

Why does grease make the devices look flat and wide?

The devices are tapered. Thin at the top and wider at the bottom of coins. So on the die the fields are the outside of the die. The devices are incuse inside the die. Thus any grease that happens to land on a die, it eventually moved into the devices areas. A slight amount of grease will prevent the highest points of a coin prevented during a strike. The more grease, the lower the profile and the wider the devices will become. On the OP's coin this was prevent almost totally. When this happens then the device will be missing.
Another thing that can remove the tops of the devices and leave them looking wide is circulation damage. How can you tell the difference? On the Grease Fill there will be no metal movement that damage would leave on the devices. Hope this helps.