Could This Be Something Like A "Die Fissure" On My Nova Scotia Token?

strike through was my initial thought as well,

very nicely struck token, shame about the discoloration on the rev

Strike-through is a VERY persuasive suspect, I think, now that I've studied the token some more under the glass.

If you've ever been in a metalworking shop where any kind of stamping, cutting, or especially lathe work is done, you've seen the "tailings" that are all over the place. Thanks to your suggestions, I'm now envisioning something like that, no thicker than a piece of yarn, resulting in this sort of flaw, all at once causing both the gash and the up-the-arm micro-crevice.

The lamination theory works for me also, as that piece of Commerce's arm does look like it could flake upward toward the viewer and then off the planchet altogether. Gotta admit that I'm awfully ignorant on that topic, however, and I've always associated lamination in general with some striation that's more overtly a pre-strike phenomenon in the flan rather than something caused by or during the strike itself. (I hasten to concede here that the emphasis in that last sentence should definitely be on the word "ignorant.") Any metallurgists out there?

I agree it's a lovely piece, definitely somewhere on the MS continuum. And Wade, the mottled effect you noticed is actually luster, producing in these images the lighter shades of color seen in blotches on both sides. My scanner never captures that properly, alas.

Wash your hands, everybody!