I have a similar coin, somewhere, maybe having something to do with feeder finger scratches moving in the same direction from nw to se....notice those lines, and as you say, are behind the columns and not through them, suggesting they were present prior to the strike...
Zinc penny. It's biodegrading I think. Also the die may have been heavily used at the point this coin was pounded out. Notice all the other lines between the bottom of the memorial and the top of the words "One Cent"? I think it's the same as what's happening between the columns. I think it's a combination of blistering and worn die. That penny looks almost uncirculated, for a 1985. It's a shame the materials they use on these allows them to deteriorate so badly, even when not in heavy circulation.
Match what you see with the following Die Clash overlay. See what matches between the columns. Clashes are common. Nothing really major.
I'd keep it because I could and it's a great training and learning piece. The value is so low it's low it's not worth selling it.
