In a previous thread (here is reference I asked for help identifying a blank planchet. It had the dimensions of a quarter (thickness and diameter) but the weight was 6.55 grams. In other words, initially I thought there is no way that it is a blank quarter planchet. I originally thought maybe it was a blank planchet to a foreign coin, and posted my ? on this site hoping for the vast knowledge you all have on errors and coins in general. Tonight, I found a link at error-ref.com where State Quarters were struck on an experimental alloys, and weighed around 6.5 grams. Please read below ____________________________ Experimental Issues: Statehood Quarters Struck on Experimental Alloys: Definition: In the years 1999 and 2000, some statehood Washington quarters were struck on planchets composed of a number of different alloys. These alloys were candidates for use in the striking of Sacagawea dollars. [TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"] [TD="align: center"]According to Heritage Auctions, "The U.S. Mint conducted metallurgical tests on various alloys in its effort to select a suitable composition for the Sacagawea dollar. Presumably, quarter-size planchets and dies were more convenient to use than their small dollar equivalents. A small number quarters struck on experimental planchets are known for each of the five states struck in 1999: Delaware, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey. These dies would have been available by early 1999 for the production of proof sets. Some of the experimental planchet pieces were analyzed with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to determine their composition. The predominant metal was copper, followed by zinc, with traces of manganese and nickel present." The 2000-P Massachusetts statehood quarter was struck on a planchet that weighs 6.48 grams. Its composition has never been established."[/TD] [/TABLE] Here is the link to this article. http://error-ref.com/State_Quarters_on_an_Experimental_Alloy.html [TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"] [/TABLE] __________________________________________ That said here is the apparent blank quarter planchet (unconfirmed) Anyway, long and short of it, would it be a stretch to say that this planchet is then a blank experimental alloy quarter planchet, or am I reaching taking deductive reasoning into the world of imagination/delusion? Your thoughts please. I really want to see what you all think on this. Thanks Tyler
Hello Tyler, I can't tell you exactly what you have without actually inspecting the coin. You could measure the diameter very accurately to further determine what you've got. Back when there were many quarter tolls in the Northeast, some unscrupulous people used to sell rolls of blanks to fool the toll machines. I have a half dozen examples of these blanks in my collection. Often they were upset on the edge or reeded with exact dimensions of a quarter. They were not mint products.
Yeah, its tough. Proving a blank planchet, especially something as esoteric as an experimental piece, is really hard. How do you "prove" it was not what Collect89 described? Making blank metal planchets is not hard, probably 4000 factories in the US can make high quality ones tomorrow. How is it "proven" yours is not something from one of them?
The disc in your photo does not look like a typical type I or type II planchet which is used at the US mint. I rather doubt it is a US mint product. However, if you really want to pursue this further, then measure the diameter (accurately and at various locations) and take good photographs of the edge. In particular, we could examine the bend on one side, the burr on the other side & the location of the break-line in between. Real type I planchets exhibit characteristics due to the punch tool geometry, tolerances, and punching speed.
I have a 1999 Pennsylvania quarter that does not have the copper layer or its hidden. How can I check to see if this is a real error or if it's on an experimental planchet?
First, welcome to the neighborhood! If you didn't notice, this thread is about 4-1/2 years old. You would probably get a better response if you started a new thread. Can you please post photos of all three sides - obverse, reverse and edge? Note: Use the "Full Image" option rather than the "Thumbnail". Chris
I have a Tennessee state quarter p you can not see the copper when turned sideways is there any know experimental planchets for the year 2002 state quarter
