I first thought this was a counterstamp, but looking closer, it appears that it could actually be a struck through.
My first guess is "Counterstamp" however, I would expect a counterstamp to have slightly raised metal around the edges...since there's nothing holding it in place like a strike-through. I can't tell for sure. The lighting in this (4th) picture makes it look like a counterstamp...
If this is a counterstamp, it would have to be a beat up one with huge dents. I vote struck thru because the reverse opposite the mark has not been affected by such a deep hit.
The C looks to perfect to be a struck through to me. C is a known counter stamp but there are so many of counter stamps. It’s obviously taken a hit. The only thing I see that makes me a little unsure is the bumps inside the C. If it’s an older one than that’s understandable.
I have some older counter stamped coins and nothing shows unusual on the non-counter stamped side. Then again, I have some that the counter stamped side is clear as a bell but the other side is destroyed. Go figure.
Please image one of your C/S coins with a very deep impression that shows no evidence of it on the opposite side. Thanks in advance.
Also.. Why would someone counterstamp a letter C in that spot. I would try to center it in the field in front of Abe's face and the Rim. When in a struck through, the object landed randomly in that spot.
Since there is no damage on the reverse, I go with strike-thru. Unless they were able to place it on a reverse die when they punched the 'C', which is very unlikely.
@paddyman98 this is exactly what I was thinking it could be. I would assume there would be something like this in a press that could have come loose and fell into the chamber.
Before reading the replies, I came to the same conclusion @paddyman98 did. A strike through of a retaining clip, which resembles a letter C. No deformation of the reverse is a hint.
