I am just kidding about leaky.I think it's like a major die break or well that's why I am sharing is for the or part. Blow it upand look at it very closely, be sure to look at letters under the black metal as well.The more I looked at it; the more fsscinating it is. I think it's a 1974, but Of course the 4 isthe only number I can say is 4.
I thought that but a Delamination would show a copper colored core not black. I say the Clad Layer was damaged somehow Post Mint.
What you're seeing as the bottom of the '7' couldn't be, it's too far right. I also thing the OP would not have guess '74 if it was silver.
What wss the metal in this case that was leaked.It was steel from the damaged die or something but that can account for it's black color. If you are not sure, why comment like you actually are? I realize of course, soldering is possible but I am not sure why the lettering shows clearly on the obverse upper right but the 6 o'clock cud makes it impossible to tell ehat the date is. I didn't surmise the date was 1974 because I was looking at a clad quarter. I did so because I could clearly see the 4 and thought the number adjacent near the top appeared to be a 7. But here goes it doesn't really matter, even if it was only worth a dime like it actually is I would keep it.
As I said, if it was leaking steel it certainly would not be copper colored! And thats exactly what happens in this officially recorded error.
Actually in rare cud rim to rim cud errors, The die actually explodes and flakes of steel are responsible for the gray to black cud. OBVIOUSLY, such an error is rare and that probably explains why collectors quickly attribute such an error to no error. CAUSEMD
The picture actually shows a CUD though which is on the die. Your coin does not have any evidence of a cud.
Since you said in the original post, that the letters are under dark areas and they appear to be raised off the surface of the coin (based on your pics), it's pretty safe to say that the darker areas are some type of solidified metal/solder. Some of it may have come off when it cooled. The lighter areas around the raised part are due to the heat. Definitely happened AFTER it left the mist so it's PMD BTW: It ABSOLUTELY IS NOT melted steel from a damaged die. Steel melts around 2500-2600F and you aren't going to get those temps unless you have a high temp furnace.