I cannot convince myself that this is post-mint damage. The lines are perfectly straight. Could it be a defective planchet? The reverse also has the lines, though weaker. There are other issues which are only visible on the second and third photo, such as bits of extra metal forming ridges on the letters and date, doubling of the chin, and absence of part of the Y, more than what I normally see. .
I believe this coin has been whizzed - and rather poorly at that. The raised metal on the edges of the letters is usually a telltale sign of whizzing.
I do not think the coin has been whizzed or cleaned. I clearly see the flowlines from the strike in the fields, though the photos do not render this obvious. The inner parts of the M in AMERICA are raised up, I think it improbable that someone would attempt to modify these tiny areas and why would they bother.
Whiz Biz While it looks like the coin has been altered in some way " I do think I clearly see the flowlines from the strike in the fields, though the photos do not render this obvious. The inner parts of the M in AMERICA are raised up, I think it improbable that someone would attempt to modify these tiny areas and why would they bother." " IMO, This coin has been altered.
