Clipped Planchet?

CNCMACHINIST

Hey everyone! I found this 1918 Buffalo Nickel and thought maybe it was a clipped planchet. I know the curved type, there is also straight type of clips. I guess if this is clipped it was punched from the straight edge of the sheet. I am not familiar on how shearing was done in the 1900'. I also know this could be PMD. Notice how much detail this coin has retained in nearly 100 years. You can see the horn is not worn at all. Let me know what you think. Thx!!

ctf_error_coins

Give me a close up of "LIBE" because we need to see metal flow clearly.

CNCMACHINIST

Here is a close up of "LIBE" per request. thx!

ctf_error_coins

I think ur good. Hard to tell from the photo tho. Look at the B and E under magnification and if you see flow marks (lines) you are good.

CNCMACHINIST

I was thinking the same thing. I compare to another nickel and the letters are all uniform and aligned.

JBK

Interesting piece - I hope it works out. It will be a good learning tool on how to tell a real one.

CNCMACHINIST

Here is a real close up.

gonzer

It's the real deal.

ctf_error_coins

@CNCMACHINIST said:
Here is a real close up.

There's the photo, nice straight clip error!!!

jonathanb

Bonus questions for the original poster: why did ErrorsOnCoins ask for that closeup, and why is everyone happy now that they’ve seen it?

JBK

To show weakness in the strike as the details approached the edge, which was unconstrained and expanding since it was not up against the collar?

CaptHenway

Absolutely genuine straight clip! Very Nice!

seanq

It's good, I could tell from the original pictures. Here is what I saw that told me:

• the rim "flows" or tapers into the clip at the edge, this is especially prominent on the reverse behind the hind legs.
• the design elements directly adjacent to the clipped edge are not struck up fully. This is very evident in the close-ups that were added later, but even in the original images the hind legs are seen to be weakly struck.
• the clipped edge is not perfectly straight, but slightly irregular.

These diagnostics are all due to the metal following the path of least resistance when under striking pressure. Metal flows into the area of the missing planchet rather than into the dies.

• You can also see faint hints of a Blakesley effect, or a weak rim opposite a genuine clip. The rim is slightly thicker on the obverse behind the bottom feather, exactly opposite the center of the clip. You can also see the reverse rim has less of a wire look by the buffalo's head. This weak rim is due to a lack of counterpressure when the blank planchet is run through the upsetting mill. This tends to be harder to see on nickels versus copper or clad coins.

Looking at the edge is not always a good indicator, especially if the coin is heavily circulated, but the lack of obvious cutting or sawing marks on this coin are another check mark in favor of authenticity.

Straight clips are the hardest to attribute, especially on older coins, and in my experience 80-90% of the ones I have seen offered as Mint errors are actually damaged. Congrats to the OP for spotting this coin.

Sean Reynolds

CNCMACHINIST

Thanks to Sean Reynolds for the very detailed analysis of this coin. I am pretty excited to have found it. I should probably slab it.

BLUEJAYWAY

Very nice error.

MedalCollector

That was an easy one. Congrats on the cool clip!

Edit: If profit is your motive, don't slab it.

ricko

Very interesting find... straight clips are not common....Great analysis by Sean..... Cheers, RickO

3Legs

Send that baby in!

Treashunt

strange no Blakesley effect.

ctf_error_coins

@Treashunt said:
strange no Blakesley effect.

Not all clips have Blakesley Effect. (this one very slightly has the effect). . That is WHY I Always look for metal flow, because metal always wants to flow towards the clip.

ctf_error_coins

This rounded rim area also told me this was the real deal.

1630Boston

Great educational info posted here, thanks all....I'm learning new things everyday

jonathanb

@ErrorsOnCoins said:
This rounded rim area also told me this was the real deal.

FWIW, that was the part that made me less sure that it was the real deal. In the pictures, the rim looked more flat to me than rounded. It's easy for cutting tools to leave an unexpected flat edge. Metal flow is the part that's hard to get by accident.

Treashunt

@ErrorsOnCoins said:

@Treashunt said:
strange no Blakesley effect.

Not all clips have Blakesley Effect. (this one very slightly has the effect). . That is WHY I Always look for metal flow, because metal always wants to flow towards the clip.

good reasoning