Why not? Wouldn't you want an expert opinion to be sure? Error coins aren't the easiest to determine their situation, that's at least from my experience. There are too many possibilities to consider.
Why not? Because it would cost tens of dollars to obtain that expert opinion, and there's no chance of a favorable outcome.
Well said. If this gentleman is so confident in his opinion, perhaps he should pony up the submission fees/expenses (No SEGS nonsense) and send to the OP no strings attached. If you want to waste your own money, feel free, but please don't make off the cuff suggestions that, if taken seriously, could waste someone else's.
In this situation it is actually pretty easy to determine if you know how to interpret what you are looking at. I was fortunate enough to learn about error coins from the people the TPGs turn to regarding error coins. I'm not going to drop names but if you know anything about errors then you will know the people I'm talking about.
LostDutchman gave his professional opinion. LD is a professional whose opinions are HIGHLY valued and trusted here.
As most of the other members said, this coin is damaged, plain and simple. Not a mint error of any sort.