Is this a strike through?

Russellhome

I was cracking open a 1979 proof set. I thought this might be a scratch on the Quarter -- but it really appears to be raised. I'd think it was a die crack, except it does not look like any die cracks I've seen. The little arc in the field off of Washington's nose also appears raised. Is it a die gouge, strike through, or a fine scratch? Any ideas?

itsnotjustme

Without holding in hand with a loup, I cannot say for sure.

It does resemble a strike through lint. Please note that a strike through will be impressed into a coin. Here is an image of two strike throughs I have obtained from mint sets.

XpipedreamR

Russellhome

The line is so fine, it is hard to tell if it is raised. It has kind of a beaded look -- like a die crack. It does not have the appearance of a normal scratch (which normally shows a gleam on the opposite side of the light source). It is hard to see in the photos, but the line splinters into 3 lines near the rim (like a lightning bolt) -- which again is not what I would expect from a scratch.

itsnotjustme

The shapre of the bigger one very much resembles a small piece of lint. This could have a split end.

The left one looks more like a short segment of something like thread.

Russellhome

So it sounds like it is a strike through lint. Thanks for the info. Amazing what a little piece of lint can do to the field of a proof -- it is a really obvious flaw/error.

PerryHall

Definitely a strike through. Nice error coin. Congratulations.