Any idea what's going on?

So as I've gotten back in to collecting more I have been trying to read up on errors and identifying cleaned coins. Not sure what is going on with this example but the reverse of the coin is visible on the obverse side and vice versa. Could this be some type of struck thru error or the result of a harsh cleaning somehow? Just looking for any info on what can cause this. Thanks!





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IDK if this is the case, but:
A die clash error happens when the coin dies come together in the coining press without a planchet between them. This causes an imprint of each die to be left on the opposing die face. For example, an impression of the obverse die is left on the reverse die, and vice versa. Although the Mint usually makes an effort to clean up these marks, they are sometimes visible on the coins themselves.

 

That's the definition of a die clash, but usually a die clash leaves faint but sharp-edged impressions. The pictured coin seems to carry impressions that are deep, but soft-edged.

I'm nervous about the coin as a whole, though. The letters look mushy, especially "TES" in "STATES". I haven't spent a lot of time studying this type, but I'd be worried that this is a counterfeit.

 

I considered the counterfeit idea, but I compared it to a net photo of an 1852 and it seemed to match.
Could this be an old time vise job?
Perhaps weigh it and do a silver test.

 

Another probability is a Flipped over Double Struck..
The coin was struck normally once then it flipped over and was struck again.
Might not be but it reminds me of such.

 

I think the coin is real but it has been cleaned. It was struck with clashed dies.

 

Do you suppose the dies could've been used long enough after the clash to smooth out detail like this? That seems unlikely to me, but a well-worn die certainly could explain the trails from the letters.

 

@aaroncoffman3, the clashing is clear on both sides. Superimpose the reverse on the obverse, and there's that obverse clash. Turn your obverse clockwise 185-degrees, put it on the reverse, and there's your reverse clash. Both clear as a bell, 165 years later. That's a nice specimen.

 

Thanks for all the responses! I was thinking a possible die clash at first too but as @-jeffB mentioned the impressions are not as sharp as you'd normally see. I've seen this on a few other examples too, all faint impressions.

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The dies were definitely very worn.

 

Ghosting. Overused dies pick up the impression of the opposing dies after a while.

 

I'll second this.

 

I'm thinking part of what we are seeing is ghosting.

 

Not a die clash. Very worn dies plus indirect design transfer, also known as "ghosting".

 

Thanks everyone, good to know!

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