1953-S LWC What Happened, Heat Damage?

I'm thinking heat damage as well--somewhat localized. Interesting.

Not Heat; you may actually have a very rare error, I'd hold on to it before someone tells you to spend it on here, do some research.

The wavy step or trails error is a die error that is found on some United States minted coins beginning in 1986. The anomaly occurs during the die making by the single-squeeze hubbing process. This is however a older coin, but it's the same die error description of later coins, no? The 1986 and beyond errors are extremely rare. A Coin like yours is even more rare, and quite possible a high premium.

http://www.lincolncentresource.com/...vySteps.html

If that was PMD by a torch, that is one skilled torch user, or a very tiny tiny torch. How come the year wasn't effected by the mentioned "torch"?

Looks like blow torch damage to me.
John1

If my memory serves me correctly I plucked this out of a 5,000ct bag from Provident Metals. Way back when they used to sell 5,000ct mixed wheat bags. I Found so many semi-keys and even a few key dates in their bags. They were the last truly unsearched bags I ever purchased. I was so impressed I bought their last 7 bags and one was nothing but rusty old steel cents. I sure miss those good old days of unsearched bags.

Why start now
John1

Not a torch. This is not Firescale. Firescale is random wherever the heat goes it goes. These waves are all in the same direction. And no blowback burning in opposite direction even if the torch was on an angle. I'm sticking with the rare error in the link I posted. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.in...mp_page=true

I just did an experiment with a Dremel and wire brush. The steel brush left linear scratches in a 72 cent and a bronze brush , if held in a static position, began to pull up small ripples that are smaller but similar to the op's coin. The right softness of wire bristle on a rotary power tool could give a coin with the op's look.