There are videos here and there showing the minting process. Most (all it seems) are abbreviated and not through. Early in the process, the mint receives large coils of metal that will eventually be rolled out (sometimes cut in strips) and blanks punched out.] So what forces are in factor that allow thick planches to rolled up? This isn't aluminum foil Do all denominations come in coils? Ignore gold and silver for now. Here is a short video form the mint: How about those old Ike dollars?
Just watched this one...the one that was posted about a month or so back was much more thorough...about a half-hour...from metal rolls to finished coins (quarters in this case). Can't speak to anything larger/thicker.
Back in the 80's when the Zinc cents were being introduced, a manufacturing company in Greenville, Tennessee made the blanks for the mint. They shipped blank planchets to Philly. Truck loads left every week. There would be enterprising employees would "under the table" sell blanks, clipped blanks and the webbing strips. Bought and sold some during that time. Kept a few blanks. Good times.
Thick planchets occur as a result the metal being rolled out into strips process. In simple terms one portion the final strip ends up being slightly thicker than it is supposed to be. And when the planchets are punched out those in that portion are thicker. Over the years the mint has changed how they do things several times when it comes to planchet production. There was a time when they made everything themselves from beginning to end. But then they began outsourcing to reduce cost and improve efficiency. If I remember correctly they have purchased premade cent planchets for many, many years now. And I think cents are the only circulation coins where they do that.
I think he is just surprised that the planchet strip can be coiled like that. Butwhen you roll the metal out to blank thinkness it isn't ridged anymore and does have some flexibility. you don't have to get metal strip down to aluminum foil thickness before it started being flexible.
