1949 S LWC Clipped?

I voted "other" but somehow it registered as " PMD"

Clipped for sure...it has strong Blakesley effect going on

This is a genuine mint error. Note the weakness 180 degrees opposite the clip, caused by metal flow towards the planchet clip. Also notice how the rim "fades away" on the two edges of the clip, again, due to metal flow towards the planchet clip. Your clip looks exactly like genuine examples, including some that I pulled from mint-sewn canvas bags, years ago, when there was such a thing.

Congratulations on a good find.

-Joseph Curwen, Gent.

Questions about the Blakesley effect.
1:Is the weakness opposite the clip always the same size(same arc)as the clip?
2:Why the difference obverse/reverse of this effect?
3:Is this "clip" too far away from the wheat ear to affect it?

1. Not always. Sometimes it is hardly noticed. Sometimes on one side or both. Varies in size but stronger on larger clips.
2. Incomplete blanks are cause when the stocl material was inserted incorrectly and then re inserted and where the punches had already been punched, they now don't match the new setting. So where a puch happened before incorrectly, the metal is missing during the correct insertment and the blank is incoplete. The blanks are run through an upset mill that add the rim to the blank making it into a planchet. While the upset process was happening the blanks are run through a channel that get narrower and it turns. Because of the missing material (Clip) doesn't push again the other side of the coin, the planchet show weakness opposite the clip and we call that the Blakesley effect. May show on one or both sides of the planchet.
3.The wheat lines are probably weak on the right side of them, but usually the devices are weak near the clipped area. The edges of the clip are angled on the rim showing it is a legit clip. Devices near the rim should be weaker.