[bijoem]

anthony -

I have seen those marks on various caramel issues.

It is very strange to me.

I can't think of a great reason why a printer would want or need those marks so close to the artwork.

My best guess:
Sometimes if a printer is forced to print on a sheet that is too small to include the marks and a bleed area - they will put marks within the artwork (to help registration / or as a guide for cutting / in your case - registration). After the pressman gets the press going and is happy with the results / the marks will be polished out (erased from the plate) and the print run will continue. So... the cards with the marks - - like your card - - would be from the beginning of the print run.

It is very interesting.