It is unlikely that the issue would be with the master die, but it is possible that a working die was repaired either with fractionally larger ‘I’ and ‘T’ punches though I think die repairs with correct punches very slightly misplaced could have a similar effect.
Jerry
Indeed, just damage / gouges, either deliberate or accidental, and associated metal displacement - see how the H of Half and N of Penny have also "grown" extensions to their limbs. And the gouge in the field below the H has resulted in a raised "hook" at the end of the gouge. Glaciologists would call it terminal moraine !!