1981 Lincoln Cent, Strange Looking Obverse

Looks like roller lines on the obverse - as I am not seeing anything on the reverse which would then indicate a possible Woody. Plus, all the lines seem to be symmetrical. I have a few of these in my collection, I really like the character / eye appeal that it adds to the coin.

I'm not too sure that it's a woody either. It kind of looks like something was on the front

Not a true woody but roller lines/stains.
John1

with roller lines.

Kdim, I've some 81 Lincolns, and so do others, that definately points to a bad alloy occurance. While these are good folks here, they can only offer opinions, often, understandably, past assessments based on similar posts, and their experience. They're likely right most of the time. However, with the changeover to Zincolns looming in mid 82, it was not business as usual at the mint. Venders, suppliers, contractors, origin of materials, personel, procedures, etc. were all affected. Bottom line, the idea of a roll or more of sheeting (13" x 1500'), with alloy mix incomplete here and there, all things considered, is not so far fetched. Having said that, it's rare, most offer examples from the 30s or 40s. Therefore, bad alloy mix is rarely considered, often dismissed as "a thing of the past". A low priority assessment, especially with circulated coins and their exposure to everything under the sun. There are frauds too, so, it's to say sometimes. Good folks here, offering up, giving time, it's all good. In retrospect, a bad mix alloy, in 81? "Nah, gotta be something else". Well, I have to add, we're looking at pictures, not the coin itself, just sayin.
I think it's an alloy issue too, along with a few other ccf members. Thing is, my examples are from an original mint roll, uncirculated. Planchets punched from stock that is simply under mixed, not fully blended. I'd add, I think "woodies" occur the same way, blended a little better than my planchets, but, a little short. Roller lines.? Kinda, as the rollers expand a Swirled mix of two different colored metals in an ingot, the 5% zinc, thin lines, the 95% copper, band lines. Of course, there is some various degrees of mixing, giving a grain look, perhaps. Copper red, zinc blue, and red/ blue combined purple, in various shades and degrees. My coins, yours, badthads, and others posted with these characteristics are most likely alloy mix related. Mine is uncirculated, and every hue can be obtained with copper red and zinc blue, exclusively.
I've got some pros working on it, including a top photographer in the field, metalurgist..I've got more pics, but they won't upload. When I can email, maybe they'll fly. When photoed by a pro, we'll get them posted somewhere.
Hang on to your coin, and, like me, appreciate the replies by members here. Coin variations have come a long way since I was a kid, new stuff discovered like crazy. Some here have answers that pan out, some, opinions, that can be helpful. Some, wrong guesses, but, that's the crazy. World of collecting. Good to see so much involvement, it's all good. Coppercati

As to whether a Woody can wear, I think it depends on how deep the planchet is affected by the Improper Alloy Mix. On two sided Woodys the entire planchet is affected. Here's an example of suspected roller lines.

Image by Mr. Mike Diamond