Found this today. 1974 S penny, is the fading of the date damage? The mint mark looks like a double S but also has the shape of a D around it and underneath, hard to get a good picture of it, is what I'm seeing just and imprint from the strike or could it be an S over D?
Looks like a worn die strike. Date was probably clogged with debris. And the Mint Mark is circulation wear.
Similar to what Fred said. All "S" mint marks from 1968-1974, made for circulation, were prone to die chips at the mint mark. The faded digit is as paddy says.
