Those closeup incline me to the belief that an incompetent amateur hobo nickle carver tried his hand at screwing up a cent. I'd be very interested in Billzach's comments on this coin. To make sure he sees it, I'm PMing him a link.
when i looked at this coin, the first thing i noticed was the wear or roundness where the height of the letters dropped off, which only comes by something rubbing it [ or engraver ] for enough time to wear parts of letters off, also there are signs on the field of coin where something had cut into it.i would love to hear other opinions on this coin..[ps] about the w being moved, a engraver can move [ metal ] letters, etc on a coin or nature can do it by contact with something pushing on it..
The coin being minted 70 years ago makes it impossible to know exactly what damaged it. It could have been damaged 50 years ago and circulation wear would effect the rest of the coin. The combination of an early damage and circulation is what caused the letters to be destroyed and mutilated. The metal was definitely moved around and damaged after the coin left the Mint. Thanks, Bill
