It looks like some clarification is needed.
The 'markings' found on the coins in the pictures above are perfectly normal for the prototype coins in question.
As stated in our second post (see page 1) these coins weren't actually intended on being sold.
We still do not sell these coins but rather offer them as promotional freebies when an order of 5 or more coins is placed.
The markings shown above actually came about during production.
The coins themselves are made of a zinc alloy.
After the coins had been struck, they underwent the gold plating process. The method used by the mint wasn't perfect and they plated the coins using a brush plating method instead of the preferred immersion electroplating. So in short, the ) marks that you're seeing is where the brush 'strokes' ended and thus appear slightly different from the rest of the plating on the coin.
Hopefully that clears up any confusion.
Thanks