It not an error at all...it an improperly mixed alloy, commomly referred to as a woodie. What would be an advantage is that the op knew the correct terms before teaching those who dont!
Sorry I stand to be corrected. sir .A woody occurs when the different metals in the coin are improperly mixed during the melting process. There are several ways this can happen I believe. One is if there is not enough heat and movement during the melting/combining process.
I am no expert by any means......but I will share this with you. There are many who are members here that do fall into that category. Quite a few published authors.....quite a few "experts" in many deversed areas of numistmacs. You post it ....you better be able to back it up.....
Improperly Mixed Alloy is considered a Mint Error Reference from Error-ref.com under Planchet Errors - http://www.error-ref.com/improper-alloy-mix/
@Paddy54 I made an honest error. It's been fixed. and yes it is an error . http://www.error-ref.com/improper-alloy-mix/
How can it be a mint error if the alloy wasn't made at the mint? The only raw materials I know of that was actully alloyed at the US Mint was silver from the Comstock mine at the C C mint.
Ask @Fred Weinberg. It's noted in error-ref.com as a mint error. So are roiled thick and rolled thin planchets. Also considered Mint Errors.
Didn't the mint at one time smelt and alloy all the metals themselves at one time? You see the videos of the US MINT smelting large ignots of metals which then continue on the process. I don't know which ones, when they outsourced, etc.