This 1943 steel cent appears to be replated, given the highly reflective surface, both on the edge and the obverse/reverse. However, is this a bona fide lamination error on the obverse? The reverse also appears to have some sort of mint error, specifically there's a scratch mark that goes diagonally across the length of the coin (seen easily between the D and S in UNITED STATES), but the scratch does not interfere with the devices. So, does that make this a lamination error and die scratch coin, that's been replated with a DMPL surface? Thanks in advance!
I'm more inclined to think that all you see was damage before the coin was replated. I'm not even sure steels had lamination errors. None that I've seen at least.
I think everything you pointed out is post-strike, pre-re-plating damage. The obverse gouge did quite a number on the rim, which would not be the result of a lamination problem. The re-plating process did a poor job of covering up the damage to the fields and devices.
Looks like a VERY recent replate job. Some things you'd figure would eventually subside, but apparently not. Sure it's not Krylon?
I find it very interesting that the obverse Mark/Scar seems to go under the word Liberty, It looks like it pushed the metal on the surface, but did not push the letters in liberty. The Line on the reverse, fron C in cent to C in America also shows the same underscore. I don't see how the replating would change such an effect. May have been struck on damaged planchet.
The Gouge in the rim shows no "burr" on either side of the rim. It would at lest show displacement burrs/bumps from being damaged post-mint. The lower mark on the obverse is "in line" with the line on the reverse which show it was in a pinched situation.
Taking into acount the amout of wear on Abe's ear, I wonder if this coin was ever in circulation. A good majority of 1943 cents never saw circulation due to the hoarding.
