missing letters

hello. i have a 1996 penny on rev the missing letters is it from a weak strike or possibly wore?

 

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Worn Die/ Deterioration issue
Common issue.
Struck through compacted grease.

 

It’s from a worn die and the die also had some grease on it as Paddy said.

 

This post brings up an interesting question. How often does only one die get replaced during production? With the obverse being in decent condition, one wonders if only that die was replaced. I thought they replaced both at the same time.