One of the most accessed Proxiblog articles–thousands, each week–concerns the transitional error 1982-D Small Date bronze cent. But did you know there are 15 famous transitional errors in which the wrong planchet was used during production?
They are happened the same way: The wrong planchet got stuck in a hopper or production bin and somehow was shaken loose and struck.
Here are examples:
1943 Bronze Cents
When the Mint switched from zinc-coated steel cents in 1943, some 30 examples were minted with copper planchets. Each has specific markers, including the date.
To see all the markers for the 1943-P, 20-30 specimens; 1943-D and 1943-S, click here.
1944 Steel Cents
Just as in 1943, the wrong planchet–this time steel cents–got into the hoppers of 1944 bronze planchets. About 30 specimens are estimated to have left the mint.
To see all the markers for the 1944-P, 1943-D and 1943-S, click here.
One of the rarest, next to the 1943-D copper cent (only one example found), is the 1982-D Small Date bronze cent. Only two examples have been found.
1982-D Small Date Bronze Cent
One of the rarest ultra rarities with only two found in 2016 and 2019, the 1982-D Small Date 3.1 grams continues to be one of the most sought-after coins, primarily because social media publicized it across online venues, including YouTube and Facebook.
Again, markers are important–not only the weight. Here’s a quick illustration about Small Date and two aspects of the number “2” on the date.
To read more about these markers, click here.
1965 Silver Dimes
This rarity occurred when 1964 90% silver planchets got into 1965 copper-nickel clad dimes. At the time the Mint was producing both 1964 silver coins and 1965 clad coins, a small number of silver blanks got into feeder bins. Between 20-100 of the rarity may have escaped into circulation.
To determine if you found the rarity, look at the edge. If you see a copper stripe, you have the clad dime. If you can’t see the stripe, weigh it. A clad dime weighs 2.27 grams; the silver dime, 2.5 grams.
1965 Silver Quarter
The same thing happened with quarters as with the dime above. Some leftover 1964 silver planchets got into 1965 clad hoppers. Fewer than 20 left the Mints.
Again, look at the edge. If you see a copper stripe, you have the common clad quarter. If not, weigh it. A sclad quarter weighs 5.67 grams whereas a silver one weighs 6.25 grams.
1977-D Silver Clad Quarter
This transitional error happened when a few–estimates are a dozen or so–40% silver Bicentennial planchets, again left over from previous production, got into the wrong hopper.
Again, do the edge and weight tests. If you see a copper stripe on the edge, you have clad quarter. If not, weigh it. A clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams; the transitional error, 5.75 grams.
1965 Silver Half Dollar
These occurred because of leftover planchets from the previous year. The silver content was reduced from 90% silver, again because of the price of precious metal. But leftover 1964 90% planchets got into the 1965 production bin. Only a few dozen 1965 90% silver specimens are believed to have escaped the Mint.
You can’t do the edge test on this because of the silver content. Edges will appear silver. You have to weigh the coin; the 40% weighs 11.5 grams, the 90%, 12.5.
1971-D and 1977-D 40% Silver Kennedy Half Dollars
When the half dollar went clad in 1971, leftover 40% silver planchets from 1970 were struck on this error coin. When the Mint struck 1976 40% silver halves, again a few planchets made it into the 1977 Denver facility. The clad half should show a copper stripe on the edge. If you don’t see that, weigh the coin: A common 1971 and 1977 Kennedy half dollar weighs 11.34 grams; a 40% silver 1971-D or 1977-D, 11.50 grams
Fewer than 30 of these may have made it into circulation.
1974-D and 1977-D Silver Clad Eisenhower Dollars
In 1973, the San Francisco Mint struck both copper-nickel and 40% silver-clad dollars. Some silver planchets were rejected because of poor strikes. These got into the 1974-D barrels and were mistakenly struck on 40% planchets. In 1976, the Mint produced 40% silver Bicentennial Ike dollars. Again, some of the leftovers got into the 1977-D bins.
You can do the edge and weight test on the 1974-D and 1977-D dollars. Edge should show copper stripe. If so, the weight will be 22.68 grams. If you don’t see the stripe, the weight for the transitional error will be 24.59 grams.
Fewer than 15-30 of these are believed to have made it into circulation.
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