Thanks Nico and Mary Anne. Mary Anne, you have the right general idea, but not the details. The pin was actually suspended by yellow thread attached near the point, so it was touching the counter top (yes, our kitchen counter top is that yellow--not our choice, we have had too many other priorities to change it yet) and at an angle. Then I cloned out the thread.
Alastair
At 1/6s I suspect that the head of this pin is somehow stuck to the surface beneath it. Still, it's a good shot, and the scratches are a nice touch.
--Mary Anne