The last digit is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and shifted northward. Online images of other 1964 5-centavo coins show the last digit malpositioned in slightly different ways, evidence that it was punched into each working die by hand. CWW 7/11/2016 “Ham-handed updates” by Mike Diamond I am also curious about the extra lines on some of the letters (see arrows). While there appears to be some MD in places, the lines indicated are actually separated from the main body of the device. Can that be another form of MD? Is it evidence of re-cutting or repunching or a doubled die?
It looks like the doubling might be due to die deterioration. What I find more interesting is that the "4" appears to be from the same font style as the other digits but a slightly larger size. Chris
It looks like they were still using punches for letters and numbers. The A is identical for both and punched the same way. You can see the doubled cross bar on both. To fine South American coin without rpds or overstamps is the exception, which makes them fun. And they're cheap.
Thanks for that observation. It seems clear (from Mike's article in Coin world) that the 4 was individually punched.
Perhaps the 4 was intended for a larger denomination coin. There are a few examples of U.S. coins where the dies were punched with date digits that were intended for other denominations.