What's up with this IHC? First on the obverse,the top of the #8 looks like it's filled in? Next, on the reverse the line going through the wreath-die crack? Also,above the shield toward the right what is that? just trying to learn. Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
The 8 was probably caused by a filled die. You have the reverse figured out. Die crack on the wreath and shield. Could be a die chip on the shield. Cool coin.
The filled 8 is not from a filled die, it is a die chip. The high point in the die, corresponding to the low point on the coin, had broken off of the die, causing the top circle of the 8 to be filled.
And no these type of things do not add any premium to the coin. As a matter of fact to some people they detract from the value. I am not in that camp, because I just think some of them are cool. I agree it looks like a die chip and die crack. Not sure about die chips, but die cracks are pretty common on IHC's.
the retained die break on the reverse does add a little value. the die chip on the obverse, as well as the other problems on the coin, detract quite a bit though. The rev die break is listed in The Cud Book and they were especially common in '63.
