1925 S Lincoln Wheat Cent - Odd Gouge Or Clash - Another Mystery To Me

Overlay:



I don't see anything that would cause that area to be affected by a clash yet?
I see no evidence of a push out on the reverse opposite that area?

Almost looks like a mirror curve of the '9'.

This looks to be quite the mystery. Coops overlay is interesting, but doesn't hold an answer. Being raised, it can't be a gouge, can it? A gouge to the die? If that was the case, wouldn't we know of it considering the age?

Very interesting. Possibly a DDO, I like GrapeCollect's analysis of it. I'm leaning toward some weird die event, just because the "curve" in question isn't as curved as the 9 is, and for that reason I can't see it being a DDO.

I find it amazing that obvious a fault, could go undetected for 95 years. If it were a mint error such as clash, or die gouge there would have to be others, all the regular suspects are ruled out.
I agree with GrapeCollects, If it were a gouge. I can understand that, but raised ? I can't imagine any one time event that would cause that mark. Either others exist, or it is not what it appears.
A real mystery.

Dan

Could that possibly be from a broken die on the reverse in the word "One" The (O) looks similar.

Thanks for all the comments! Still not sure what it is so will be sending images to the DDO experts first to see if any want to see it in-hand for inspection. I still can't figure out what would be doubled, but figure to start with that bit and write it off if they say it isn't. I think it was noted above, but as hard to miss as this is, kinda remarkable no one has reported finding one that anyone knows of. Ah well, we shall see.

Dr. Wiles says it is a die gouge after having it in hand. Guess that's the end of the story, although either way still odd something this obvious hasn't been seen before. I'm filing it away as a gouge, but certainly keeping it in the collection as an oddity.