Cels are sometimes cropped for whatever reason 
(by studio or collector -- I don't know) but it's 
not entirely uncommon. What is the series? If it 
was a fake, you would think that somebody would 
"fake" the numbers and holes. Even some 
reproductions do this (Nausicaa repro cels come 
to mind).

Probably other people can tell you a little bit 
more about why cropping happens. Anybody?

Wendy