Wrong planchet

Wrong planchet is a type of striking error that includes all coins that have been minted on objects other than those intended by the characteristics of the issue decree. An object refers to any physical thing that could end up in the beating chamber during the minting process for any reason.

An example of wrong planchet in the United States is the 1943 copper penny. In 1943, the US Mint switched from using copper to zinc-coated steel for the production of pennies due to wartime copper shortages. However, some copper planchets intended for other coins, such as the 1942 copper penny, remained in the Mint’s inventory and were accidentally used to strike 1943 pennies. As a result, a small number of 1943 copper pennies were produced, making them extremely rare and valuable.

It is rare, but it can happen that planchets become entangled in containers or conveyor belts used for transport and storage, and are subsequently inserted into the money press at the wrong time. This is the reason why wrong planchets can also be found on circulated coins.