Mary, Looks like it was shot from a 12 gauge shot gun. Damage of some severe sort! Out of curiosity, where did you get it? Gary in Washington
Mary, when a coin is this messed up you shouldn't even waste your time looking at it for errors. In this condition, you can't tell an error from the damage, or damage from an error, if it had one. The very best way to find an error coin is to study up on what makes an error coin, which coins actually have errors, and how to recognize the errors if and when, you see them. Do you have the Red Book yet? You MUST have a Red Book. It lists, and shows photos, of most errors. Have you studied any of the websites about how coins are made and how errors are made? You MUST study your "quarry" in order to be successful on the "hunt". Study this link. Start anywhere(especially How Coins are Made) and read as much as you can everyday until you've read it all, then periodically, REFRESH your reading. Wexler's Coins and Die Varieties And for Heaven's Sake Mary, stop looking at heavily damaged coins expecting to find errors. You will not find errors on heavily damaged coins. You will only find damage.
I don't agree with your statement. One way of learning is to ask. If she doesn't know then why not ask? We are here to help no matter the condition of the coin.