Part V: Planchet Errors:
Alloy Errors:
Split planchets, After strike
Definition: Split planchet errors are normally restricted to planchets comprised of a solid metal alloy including aluminum, bronze, nickel, & silver.
A split after strike planchet will always weigh less than a normal planchet. A fine to coarse striation pattern will be clearly evident on the face which splits away.
1959 Lincoln memorial cent whose reverse face split off after after being struck. Notice the obverse face has a strong strike. The entire memorial reverse face is gone and instead only a muted, striated ghost of the memorial building and Lincoln’s profile can be seen. This split layer weights 1.4 g.
Another example of a split planchet after the strike is this 1945 Jefferson nickel. The reverse of the coin split away after the coin was struck leaving a 3.1 gram obverse.
