Need Help With 1955 Wheat Cent

Your coin was struck with an overpolished die. When dies clash or otherwise get slightly damaged, they can be polished or ground down to smooth out the surface. When it is done with a heavy hand, detail can disappear. Notice the parallel striations in the area of missing detail- that is a key indicator. The three legged Buffalo nickel is another example of this phenomenon.

This may help more.

Your coin's Die (The second image) was affected by a die clash before your coin was struck. The removal of the coat area didn't happen then, but after a cleaning to removal the die clash marks. The area in front of the coat and date area are affected with clash marks and the cleaner removed move than the clash. It happens on different areas on coin, but is just a normal day for the die that made your coin. Thus the missing area.


Note the location of the E on ONE. Right in the target area and that mark was removed along with the mid devices in that area. The area was cleaned/polished affected the lower coat edge. You see this weakness many times. Now you know what caused it.