1865 3CN 'Date In Denticles' Or Cud In Crack?

MrPink posted a coin and did an excellent investigation of its attributes.




I posted I have the same coin noted that I have it as documented in my reference as a MPD 'Date in Denticles'.


I started questioning myself when I examined MrPinks coin wondering if it is just a Cud in a die crack.

My original example;




Lucky me! I found another coin, same variety, in my collection. Unfortunately, it is a later die state. It would be nice to find one in which the die crack is not there. I'm starting to think that they caused the crack by punching too close to the edge. I don't think this die was processed correctly because of all the cracks in the obverse.
New example;






In the following image, white and red arrows show corresponding misplaced punch areas. Appears a previous attempt failed with the date too far to the right (see orange arrow). Purple arrow remnant of flag from '5'? The Die Makers must have hated these small coins.




Five minutes in Paintshop doesn't do it justice but I took just the highest surface of the '5' and superimposed over the suspected errant punch. It seems to fit fairly well.




Same thing with original coin




Finally MrPinks coin



Any thoughts? Is my mind playing tricks on me?