I was looking at my 5 oz. ATB's and had forgotten about this on the Hot Springs. Across the top is the visible line across the lettering. Would this be anything other than the die worn out ? Thanks for your thoughts.
i have the same thing on one of mine. I think it's a worn die but have always wondered as it seems strange for the special attention i believe these coins should have gotten during striking.
Some of the first coins released, the 2010 Hot Springs 5 oz, exhibited this creasing across these letters. It was widely reported in forums and blogs on the coin discussion sites. The Mint had a lot of technical difficulty with the new presses they were using, and after a while the creasing seems to have diminished in these 5 oz coins production now. I do not believe I have ever seen it attributed as an error, yet. With the "P" 5 oz ATB coins there are 'light finish' varieties, which is something to do with the vapor blast finishing on some of the coins, giving them a slightly different appearance. NGC for one does verify coins with this variety noted on their labels.
