Handcar, Scott 1898, PNCs With Apparent Constant Tagging Gap Variety

For your viewing pleasure. Below are four out of five mint PNC strips I have that all show the same/very similar tagging gaps shapes.From the left the tagging gaps are on first and fourth stamps. What makes it more interesting is that the top and bottom are PNC (Plate Number Coils) #1, while the two middle strips are plate #2. The shapes are too similar to be random so appear to be a constant tagging freaks.

Happens when a tagging mat is degrading.
Here's an example of a particularly worn tagging mat used while printing Sheep booklets:

Since there are two plates on a cylinder, the freak happens on two plates

Nice example as well!