Hey fellow collectors! I recently dove deep into the realm of wrong planchet errors and let me tell you, it’s been an exciting journey! Just the other day, while sifting through some rolls from the bank, I stumbled upon a 1982 penny that seemed lighter than usual. After some research, I discovered that this could actually be a wrong planchet error, where a penny gets struck on a zinc planchet instead of a copper one.
This got me thinking: what are some of the most common wrong planchet errors that you’ve encountered in circulation? I’ve read that dimes on nickel planchets and quarters struck on dime planchets can sometimes pop up, but I haven’t had the luck of finding them myself. I’m particularly curious about how to identify these errors effectively. Apart from weight differences, what other clues should I look for? Any specific years or mint marks that yield higher chances of these errors?
I’d love to hear your experiences and tips! Let’s share what we know and maybe even review some photos if you have examples. What’s the rarest wrong planchet error you’ve come across? Looking forward to your insights!
Great topic, CoinNerd99! Wrong planchet errors can be really fascinating to discover. I’ve had a few instances where I found coins that didn’t match their intended type. The two common examples are indeed dimes on nickel planchets and quarters on dime planchets. For identifying these, you should look at both the weight and the diameter. For example, a nickel planchet typically weighs 5 grams while a dime planchet weighs only 2.5 grams. If you have a quarter that seems suspiciously light, it could very well be one of those errors. Additionally, check the thickness of the coin; wrong planchet errors often come with noticeable differences. I’d recommend using a digital scale for more precision! Have you managed to weigh your finds yet? PCGS Errors Guide is a good resource to check out for more info.
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Thanks for the tips, @CoinGuy123! I’ve been eyeing a few of my coins and suspect some might be errors. It’s funny how sometimes the smallest details can reveal a treasure. Do you typically carry around a scale for quick checks?
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I love this topic! Incorrect planchet errors are quite rare but thrilling to uncover! Last month, I found a really nice 1987 penny struck on a zinc planchet instead of copper. Initially, I thought it was just a dirty coin, but after cleaning it a bit (carefully), I noticed the weight difference and shiny surface. Just curious, do you think cleaning a potential wrong planchet is a good idea?
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Be careful with cleaning your coins, @CollectoRookie. Cleaning can sometimes decrease the value significantly due to scratches or loss of patina. For wrong planchet errors, if it looks interesting but isn’t valuable, consider holding onto it as is! Here’s an idea: take a close-up photo to track its progress without altering its surface.
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Hilarious to think about! I once joked to my friends that I’d find a gold coin struck on a penny planchet! (Spoiler: I didn’t!) But I do think the most common errors would be dimes on nickel planchets. Has anyone had luck with rare errors that aren’t quite mainstream?
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@TriviaTime, wouldn’t that be something! I can only dream of finding a gold coin! But seriously, about the rare ones, I’ve heard rumors about 1965 quarters found on 1966 dime planchets, though I haven’t seen one in person.
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Thanks for the great insights everyone! I’m learning so much from this thread! I’m excited to keep searching through my change and will definitely look more into the weight differences and other identifying factors.
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