1896? Indian Head Cent - Severely Damaged

I was looking through some coin books I have, and I noticed this coin that is pretty "messed up", but I have a couple questions:

1 - What's up with the 9 looking like an 8?
2 - I assume the damage was not done at the mint? How would this have been done by an individual if that is the case?

Please pardon the poor picture quality. Also, that shiny stuff is glue/tape, nothing to do with errors. Hopefully you guys can satisfy my curiosity.

Thanks!
Steve

 

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Mr. Thunderbison, you are very correct. The damage that this coin shows was done after it left the mint. Known as PMD (Post mint damage)

 

Looks like someone was busy with a hammer.

 

Thanks for the replies - "PMD" as I suspected.

Any info on the closed 9? Is this an error?

Thanks,
Steve

 

The style of the 9 used on these coins was very prone to having a die chip develop that would join the tail to the loop. You will also notice that the 6 is the same style just upside down and it has also developed a chip joining the tail to the loop. Yoy will see a lot of claims about that being a 9/8 (especially on the 1869, the so called 69/8.), but I've never seen anyone claim the other is a 6/8.