if the picture was clearly, in focus, from a brightly lit room we'd be able to see more. But i'm going to guess that it took a hit from the left up of the A which pushed metal down in a semi circle, making an illusion as if it belonged to the A. If you look at coins without bias, and think of how it could have happened in the minting process you'd probably see it as the damage that it probably is.
An error coin has an issue caused during the minting process, such as being struck off center, struck twice, on the wrong planchet etc. If a coin sustains some kind of damage after it has been minted, then it is just that, damaged. It could be from any number of sources, banged by another coin, purposely damaged, environmental damage from being buried, the list could go on and on. I suggest if you want to find errors, you should learn about the minting process.
Put it in another way. If you went to a car dealership. And you were looking at a car that had a BIG dent in the front with the bumper, hood, grill bashed in. Do you think that was done WHILE it was being made, of which "being made" was on the assembly line up to the point it rolled off the assembly line (and not during transport, etc), or would you think it was "damaged" after it was "made" ? That is just like the Minting process. Once the coin is "stamped" or minted, and falls into a BIG bag ... it is now Complete. Any marks, scraps, ding, gouges, and all other damage AFTER that is simply Damage, PMD - Post Mint Damage, etc. So the question becomes with cars ... is any and all damage after they were pulled of the assembly line considered a "manufacturers error"? or any damage after the assembly line considered "damage", and thus any coins after they are minted considered "damage" ?
A damaged coin looses its value while an error coin increases in value. How much depends on too many other things to list. Your cent is worth one cent. Welcome to CT.
If you're ever looking to sell it, I bet if you put it in a Mylar folder and visited coin shows from time to time and came across a coin dealer dealing with error coins, you'd find a buyer. But sometimes, it's just kinda cool to hold on to a error coin for display. To me, anything (coins) unique should be put on a shelf in a collectors living room. (just in case you run out of things to talk about)
Walking my dogs today I came upon this "damaged" quarter. I especially like the reverse. The eagle is flying (after being run over by a truck?!?) Thanks for the tip -- maybe I could put it in a flip and sell it for more than .25cents.
Exactly. You put it on a shelve and when someone asks about it you Show and Tell (about it). or You can keep it in an "Oddities" Box and when friends come over you can pull it out and say "Hey, Look at this !".
The value keeps going up on my find, the more you guys talk about it. It will be a show and tell item at the next coin club meeting! Thanks