If Lincoln Ceases To Be Lincoln Is This A New Variety?

I found this coin several years ago, and finally made a copy of a normal strike with the new coin. It is obvious to me that the coin was cleaned up at the mint and the new portrait is so dissimilar to the original that other collectors thought at first it must be a counterfeit.. Now my question is this: If this die struck hundreds, or even dozens of coins - without further change, is it then a new variety? I understand that sooner or later the mint must have caught the error and removed the die. But what to call this specimen ? Please let me know what you think.