1996 D LMC Error?

[B Smith]

Hello once again,
I could really use some help on this one. I haven't been able to find a listing on this particular coin and, as a result, I'm not entirely sure if I've found an error coin. To my eye, the "L" in LIBERTY looks to be either doubled or ? Please have a look and share your thoughts.
As always, your opinions are invaluable to me and I thank you for sharing them!
1996 D LIBERTY.jpg 1996 D LMC Obv.jpg 1996 D LMC Rev.jpg

[MintErrors]

In my opinion, this is classic damage of some sort. I would probably label it as machine doubling or mechanical damage. Here is why. When I magnify the area in question with my tablet, I can see a ragged line, which is on the L in LIBERTY. The L appears to have two distinct levels, which kind of represents shelf or step like damage.

If this was a variety, like a doubled die, the letters would be thicker, and at nearly the same height. In this case, we have one normal letter L that has been sheered down. I tell people if it looks like a mini bucket loader went to town on the devices ( letters, numbers, buildings, animals, etc) suspect some sort of damage.

Any type of damage is nomally not collected by the majority of collectors out there.

I have a post in my signature which may be helpful.

[B Smith]

Gary,
Thank you for your insights. This was a tough one for me, given the placement and tapering of the "shelf" shall we say.
Once again you have been a tremendous help and I greatly appreciate it, thank you for your time and feedback!