1909 Lincoln Cent - Lam Err?

It kind of looks like a struck through? (Weak one) it might have worn down a bit from circulation.

If it is a struck through it should be incuse on the fields and dev. If it is an alloy issue then the fields and devices should be norm, without disturbance. From the images the furthest west area looks incuse? The mark that is over the head looks like a left a stain laying over the coin. You could compare it carefully with another coin? If so, that would be a stain and not incuse across the coin. That is what I'm seeing in your images.

An interesting coin. Close up pictures of the areas in question would help. Here's my opinion:

• The circular line that goes through the R in LIBERTY and Lincoln's head looks like PMD to me.


• The jagged line could be many things. Close up photos will definitely help. It could a strikethrough, a planchet flaw, or post mint heat damage.

Will wait for close up pictures.

The one thing I am sure of is this is not lamination.
The lower line is a clean arc. I am not sure if it matches the curve of the rim.
I have no idea on the upper line.

Ok, gave it my best shot. tried every angle/lighting I could think of. I need a professional setup...

Still seeing a struck through wire issue. But the one that looks like a coin arc, still not sure on what that is. It might be damage or corrosion.

@bamasoe, First, thank you for the additional photos. They are helpful, and may rule out some of the possibilities.

Regarding the more northwesterly crease (from Liberty to Trust), I'm with @coop on this looking like it is struck through. Whatever the object, it was a pretty decent size to leave a mark like that. The coin is definitely a keeper for that. The lack of damage to the edge and reverse seem consistent with a struck through error.

Regarding the more southeasterly arc, I originally thought it was PMD, but now I'm not so sure. My first impression was that the lower arc cut across or through the angular shape below the "S" of Trust. Your photo flips that impression. The angular shape appears to be PMD, and appears to ride on top of the arc. I enhanced your photo, and here's the critical area:



What appeared somewhat angular in the more distant shot actually is a series of gouges from contact. The gouges are on both sides of the arc, and appear to cross its surface. If that read is correct, the arc preceded the PMD.

The mystery deepens where the arc crosses "Liberty." Here is an enhanced closeup of your shot of the "RT" of "Liberty."



Unless I'm mistaken, the arc passes directly beneath the angled right leg of the "R" but does not appear to damage that part of the "R." There is a contact ding on the curve of the "R" but that appears to be far too minimal to be from any post-mint impact capable of inflicting the arc on the coin. The discoloration also doesn't seem to affect the letters "R" or "T" either.

I confess, I have no clear idea what caused the more southeasterly arc. There could be a variety of post-mint causes (non-impact contact with something that corroded the surface is one), but I just don't see it as being caused by impact of something with the surface of the coin. If it were the result of impact, I would expect to see the "RT" of Liberty sustain much more damage and would expect to see evident damage on the reverse.

You have quite the mystery coin there.

Thank you all for the in depth analysis, will definitely be going in the 2x2 collection! Lots of over-my-head info to look up too haha