Thought I would post this find. The odd thing when I got a close up to it I noticed (for use of a better word) the grain of the copper layer goes across the scrape and into the coin. Another point is that with a scrape this deep wouldn't it show the zinc? At some angles of the photo I can see a hint of a w where the 'we' would be. My thought is that something happened to 'we' before copper plating was applied. Any thoughts ?
Defective planchet? It's not a CUD since it's not raised and not a grease filled die since it's not level.
The coin is plated and then struck so the WE was not there to be plated. And it is not a scrape. You are correct. The zinc would show if it were a scrape. What you have is a strike through. Something covered the die as the coins was struck. Most likely grease, but it might also be a sliver of metal (piece of plating?). It is not particularly valuable, but an error collector might be interested in it.
Why? This "grease" is about the consistency of mortar after it has been baked and filled with metal filings.