I can't do it justice. Suffice it to say that when Jarret Jay Casesa was active on the coin forums, it was like a soap opera with constant drama and entertainment.
I am glad that I found this post! I believe that I have a slightly later state of this die. I have spent the last hour attempting to identify the variety (if any) of a 1938-D; the mint mark just looked odd. It seemed larger/fatter than the marks I have been seeing on other 38's, except for yours. This thicker font and less clearance from the rim had me confused, as well as the the semi-circle cut into the rim below the MM. But, the punch theory explains that! The machine doubling and the line/scratch/cud inside of the D definitely were not helping my situation, though! Maybe you discovered a new variety?? lol.