Looks like the outine of another cent's rim was somehow impressed upon the blank planchet, then the coin received a good strike. The normal details appear to be "above" the funky stuff. If so, the piece is a unique error. Not sure how that could happen... If it's a die clash, one expects to find others similar.
It looks to me that another IH cent was pressed into the planchet before the coin was struck. Note how the rim and denticles are incuse and the spaces between the denticles are raised. How this happened is not clear. I would not call it a brockage. It looks like it could be the 'U' of United peeking out from the shield so it could be the obverse of another IH cent that was pressed into the planchet. Whatever it is and however it happened it is a cool error.
Nice coin - looks FS1C-009.41 or snow-1. I think I see some slight doubling in liberty - really cool coin!
Great Find! Did the person that had it realize it was a uncommon error or did you cherry pick it? You are correct Frank - that is one book I really have to get!
Ok here is what I think.. (this goes along with my tag line...) its an S-1, Coneca 1-O-III. There should be doubling in the LIBERTY, <- can't see it in the pictures. Small die crack through the wreath from 8-9 o'clock. Very distinct Die clash on rev. Premium on this coin is approx. 8-12 times the cost of a normal cent its rated as an R6 with moderate collection interest. hope this helps. Jim
Snows FE & Indian Cent Attribution Guide, Vol 3, 1870-1889 has this S-1 variety on page 92. All his guides are quite interesting. Bruce
You guys got it. Double die obverse and Misaligned clashed die reverse. I had it in an old album for years before I understood what it was. I also thought it was just damage when I put it in the album.
