What in the world is....

That's kinda what i thought when i bought it, but under my micrscope i can see the cuts right beside the raised lines.

 

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Regarding OP's coin, i have seen X's cut into contemporary counterfeits before. Maybe as a way to mark them or something.OP's coin probably isnt one but, just an observation.

 

IMO the lines on the 20c go over the design. Part of them are worn off so it looks like they go under the design. Super dave is right. Both coins have deep scratches into them that have nothing to do with the die. I bought a large cent for $20 when the dealer told me it was struck with a cancelled die. It was a cheap lesson not to trust every coin dealer.

 

I want a knife which can cut steel sufficiently tempered to strike a quarter million coins. That would be one_strong_blade.

 

Dies come from untreated barstock. After the the dies design and specs are in tolerance, they get heat treated then tempered. It gets costly trying to cut heat treated / hardened material in a cnc machine.

With that being said, if this were on the die, there should be more examples out there unless you have a one of a kind piece. Technically a knife could have made the marks since they are raised.

 

Great. First Verdigris, now voles.

 

Kirkuleez has the best explanation why straight lines appear to be under images. This clearly shows in the most prominent line going through the legs of the obverse view of the Evan8 coin. The portion of the line appearing above the tail apparently resisted wear due to the high images beside it. Thank you Kirkuleez.