It looks like a lamination - an error in the original planchet. Part of the planchet flaked away before it was struck.
Can't be. You'd be able to see the zinc core if that was the case. It's glue. Most glues will not dissolve in water. Try acetone. In looking again, it's not glue. It's been hit and scratched up. It didn't come from the mint that way, that's for sure.
I agree with rickmp. Like he said, you would be able to see the zinc core if it were a lamination ( I have lamination errors from post 82 pennies). I also agree with rickmp's theroy that it was hit, as lincoln's nose and the second "9" in 1998 has been flatened and the copper plating has not pulled away to revel the zinc core. Overall, the coin has been hit very, very hard by something. Sorry, Jimmbob82
Guys all we need to do is to look at the reverse side of this coin to see what happened to it. the damage on the memorial building is proof that the obverse side of the coin was hit with something after it left the mint. it looks like someone hit it about three times.
In my opinion, It's PMD because after looking at the reverse, I can see an abnormal raising near the center. Looks as though someone was smashing something weird into the obverse. Just my opinion. :thumb: