Yes, the pictures are not the best. I would describe the defect as resembling the ASE being hit by another coin. However, that is not the case, as I have the same 'defect' on 8 or 9 of my Eagles. Thoughts on what is going on with the ribbon, where it meets the eagle's neck? Die chip? Strike through?
If it is raised, it was probably due to a small chunk of the die breaking away. Since you said that it was repeated on 8 or 9 others, it is very unlikely that it is a strikethrough. Chris
Hard to tell from those pictures, but I agree it practically has to be something inherent to the die if you see it on 9 different coins.
The majority is definitely indented, but there does appear to be a raised "border" within the ribbon - similar to an indent from a PMD coin hit that has a little bit of the struck coin's metal raised. I'll see if I can get my microscope working and take more pics.
Close ups just confuse me even more. I don't think it looks like a ding at all. I'm still pretty solid on the idea that if it's on 9 different coins, it's probably something on the die, but I have no idea what it could be.
Now, that one looks like a ding at first glance. I'm assuming it is not because it's in a 70 holder. Neat coin.
Everything looks indented - which it is. So it would have to be an uprising on the die - not very probable. And how that coin got a 70? 2013 ANACS just trying to get attention from the "Big Boys"
Looks like she was in the same battle as a Gold Eagle I have, that received an MS-70. (or yours is suicidal, lol)
The op ase looks like possible a die dent. Can't tell but the second ase looks like a hit. The gold eagle is a reed impression from a coin hit
A die dent would leave a raised impression on the coin, wouldn't it? Whatever is on @Garlicus's coin is mostly incuse, it looks like.
Correct. I thought I saw it as raised but now that I look closer the op's anomaly does appear incuse with pushed metal. Yeah, it's gotta be a hit
Well explain how so many specimens have the same hit? And I may add looked at some today at a show and yes some had this and some didn't . Playing the devil's advocate here.
So the bottom-line here is we just scratch it up (pardon the pun) to poor mint quality control and move on?
I'm pretty much giving ANACS and ICG the benefit of the doubt on the two that look like hits, because they're in 70 holders. If you're going to miss something and give a 70 grade, it's not going to be something that big. My guess is they've seen it before on multiple coins and that therefore it didn't count against getting a 70.