Wrong Planchet & Multi-Denomination Errors
March 9, 2026
Wrong Planchet Errors
A wrong planchet error occurs when a coin is struck on a blank intended for a different denomination or even a different country's coin. These are among the rarest and most valuable mint errors.
Famous Examples
- 1943 copper cent — Struck on a bronze planchet instead of steel. ~20 known. $100,000+.
- 1944 steel cent — Struck on a steel planchet instead of bronze. $50,000+.
- Cent on dime planchet — Lincoln cent struck on a silver or clad dime blank. $500–$2,000.
- Nickel on cent planchet — Smaller than normal with copper color. $200–$500.
- Quarter on nickel planchet — Missing clad layers, smaller diameter. $500–$2,000.
- Sacagawea dollar on quarter planchet — $3,000+.
Transitional Errors
Coins struck on planchets from the previous year's composition when the alloy changed. The 1965 silver Roosevelt dime (struck on 90% silver planchet after the switch to clad) is a famous example worth $10,000+.
Mule Coins
A mule is a coin struck with mismatched obverse and reverse dies from different denominations. The 2000 Sacagawea/$1 State Quarter mule (Sacagawea obverse with State Quarter reverse) is one of the most famous US error coins, worth $50,000+.
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This article is for educational guidance. Where official grading rules, dealer memberships, legal requirements, or tax obligations apply, consult the relevant primary authority.
Last reviewed March 6, 2026 by the US Coin Shows editorial team. Editorial policy
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