i am almost certain that the damage on this coin is pmd. any opinions? and any opinions about the variety and the value of this coin?
Post mint damage for sure. In general, indentations on coins are post mint damage. In order to make an indentation on a coins the die would have to grow, which is can't do. The dies can have pieces fall away causing raised cuds/die chips, or the die steel can sink causing bulging on the coin. Additionally, some foreign piece of metal can be struck by the die, like an 1804 spiked chin half cent, or the dies can clash, both of which will cause indentations on the die and raised portions on the coin. Most interesting things that occur at the Mint will cause a raised mark on the coin.
