I agree. There is clearly damage with the die crack and resulting blob of metal in the O so it is likely that the E has suffered damage too, maybe abrasion? Again, it is just possible a partial hand-repair has been done as was mentioned on one of your halfpennies, but can't be conclusive from this pic. A high resolution enlargement, if you can do one, might help, but Peckris is right that an actual F punch would have a bottom serif.
I think your 1854 halfpenny on the previous page is just the result of corrosion - maybe a cleaned detector find out of the ground. Acids in the soil cause all sorts of pits, blobs and effects to the metal. As an occasional detectorist myself, I have found many once-nice coins sadly similarly affected.