1937-S Lincoln Cent With Missing 7

Thanks for the larger image. Does it look like it wraps around the edge? (It looks more like the devil now) Even a piece of paper would leave a hint outline. But it is the same color as the rim. So that might be the color of the planchet that we are seeing?

These images makes it look like roadkill on the '7'. Thanks for the extra images.

My first thought was struck through "gritty grease". Time to PM Mike?
John1

I cropped, reoriented, adjusted, and marked the closeup photo. Here is the photo, and I have some thoughts posted below.



1. The marked areas are interesting. They are linear and similar. It would seem likely that they are either scratches or struck-through thin fibers. (It is hard to tell from the photo if these are raised or incuse.)
2. The rim is unaffected. I would think that anything metallic/hard that was struck through would have affected the rim if it also affected the "7" in the date.
3. One possibility is something that adhered to the sheet metal and was on the blank (such as masking tape or a sticker identifying the sheet metal roll number), but was dislodged from the proto-rim during the upsetting process. A high resolution angled closeup of the base of the rim might help rule in or out this possibility.
4. Here's another possibility. In examining the whole-coin obverse photo, there are similar linear marks beneath Lincoln's chin, and a large number of small (and very fresh) scratches behind Lincoln's head and along the back of Lincoln's coat. These might suggest fairly aggressive degreasing shortly before this coin was struck. What if a clump of greasy dirt was dislodged from the portrait area and then was struck through when this planchet was in place? Could a stiff piece of crud (like the soapy hairballs my annoying older sister left in the sink once upon a time long ago) explain this one?

Just some thoughts to spur the discussion.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

When I have some time I'll carefully examine the other coins as was suggested and let everyone know if I find anything.

Like John1 suggested, I was going to say would dirty or grit filled grease leave that texture. My only concern is, is that the only "gritty struck through", that has ever been struck ? Highly unlikely. Yet again, only cause that seems logical.

BTW Coop, I was going to say it appears to be a Bob Hope Profile....
Dan