Incomplete Planchets (

1) Collecting all dates and mint marks within a given denomination. For example, I collect Jefferson 5¢ clips by date and mint mark. (My Want List)
2) By collecting one of each type of clip for every denomination, i.e. one example of a curved clip, straight clip, and ragged clip each for a Cent, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half, and Dollar.
3) By clock positions. That is by choosing one or more denominations and collecting a clip for each position of the clock.
4) The going, going, gone method. This is done by selecting a denomination and a clock position (usually the 3 or 9 o'clock position), then trying to get clipped coins at that clock position in size increments (usually 5%). For example: A Lincoln Cent with clips of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, etc. on up to 95% at the 3 o'clock position.


A sheet of metal, called a planchet strip, is fed through the blanking press where blank planchets will be punched from it using a gang punch. If all goes well, the strip will be fed properly and planchets will be punched from it as it moves through the blanking press. To the right is a photo of a properly punched piece of planchet strip. Actual size: 150mm x 44mm.

But if the planchet strip is not fed through the blanking press properly, then blanks will be punched overlapping holes where a blank was already punched. Here is a photo of just such a piece. Actual size: 155mm x 90mm.

To the right is a photo of a type 1 planchet with a 5% curved clip. This is just as it comes punched from the planchet strip. (See blank planchet classroom for explanation of a type 1 planchet)

Here is a photo of a type 2 blank with a 5% curved clip. After the blank planchet goes through the upset mill, there will be a flattened area directly opposite of the clip. This flattened area is called the "Blakesley Effect", named after the first person to explain this phenomenon. It occurs because when the planchet goes through the upset mill, there is not enough pressure opposite the clip to force the metal up to form a rim. The "Blakesley Effect" is noted in photo with the yellow arrow. (See blank planchet classroom for explanation of a type 2 blank and the upset mill)

The finished product. (Click on image to see a photo of the reverse of this coin)

Straight Clip: A straight clip occurs when a blank planchet is punched from the side or the straight end of the planchet strip. While this type of clip is not uncommon, they are less common than the curved clip. (Click on image to see a photo of the reverse of this coin)

Ragged Clip: A ragged clip occurs when a blank planchet is punched from the untrimmed end of a planchet strip. A ragged clip is much rarer than a curved or straight clip. (Click on image to see a photo of the reverse of this coin)

Elliptical Clip: An elliptical clip can occur in two possible ways. One way is an incomplete clip can seperate either before or after being struck. Another possible theory is that a normal blank planchet finds it's way back into the blanking press and is punched again leaving an elliptical clipped planchet and a large curved clip planchet. An elliptical clipped planchet is shaped like a football.		Photo Not Available At This Time

Incomplete Clip: Although incomplete clips are not clips at all, they are collected along with clips due to their being produced in the same process that creates a clipped planchet. These errors occur when the punch fails to go completely through the planchet strip. The incomplete punch usually occurs at the end of the day when the blanking press is shut off and as it is slowing down, there is insufficient pressure to push the planchet through. The next day when the machine is started up, the planchet strip will move slightly forward and begin punching out blank planchets. A blank is then punched out with part of the incomplete punch within the blank.		Photo Not Available At This Time

Bowtie Clips: Technically these are not really clips, but because of their resemblance to clips, they are included here. "Bowtie clips" are actually struck on pieces of bowtie-shaped scrap cut from punched planchet strips. They have the appearance of having two to four large curved clips but are considered struck fragments.		Photo Not Available At This Time

Inside Corner & Outside Corner Clips: These types of incomplete planchet are so rare that most error collectors have never even seen one. It's my understanding that from time-to-time a mint employee will cut a piece from the planchet strip to check it for correct metal content. If a planchet is then punched from the strip where this assay piece was cut, then there will be a V-shaped cut into the planchet. This is called an inside corner clip. An outside corner clip occurs when a planchet is punched from the corner at the end of the planchet strip. This type of clip will appear as two straight clips.		Photo Not Available At This Time

Combination Clips: Combination clips are defined by two or more different types of clips appearing on the same planchet. Combination clips are EXTREMELY rare. Pictured here is an example of a combination clip with both a straight clip and a curved clip. (Click on the image to see a photo of the reverse of this coin)

Multiple Clips: Not to be confused with combination clips, multiple clips are coins with two or more clips of the same type. There are coins in existence with five clips on them. Although it's highly unlikely, it is possible for even more clips to be on one coin. Here is a nice coin with three clips. (Click on the image to see a photo of the reverse of this coin)

Things To Look For On A Genuine Clip

As you can imagine, a clipped planchet can be easily faked by simply clipping off part of a genuine coin to make it appear like it was struck on an incomplete planchet. But if you know what to look for, you can protect yourself against buying one of these fakes. First of all, look for the "Blakesley Effect" directly opposite of the clipped area. Due to several reasons, the "Blakesley Effect" will not always be present, so the lack of one does not automatically indicate a fake. The next thing to look for is metal flow. When a coin is struck, the metal will move into the design of the coin. Likewise it will move toward the clip area, i.e. the area of least resistance. The lettering or design near the area of the clip will have a"flowing" appearance with the "flow" going toward the clipped area. Another thing to look for is the rim at the clipped area will taper toward the clip. This is because there isn't enough metal and pressure to force the metal up into the rim area of the die. In the case of curved clips, one thing to look for is the "cut & sheer" effect on the edge of the coin within the clip area. When a planchet is initially punched, the punch will cut the planchet partially through, and then because of less resistance, will "tear" the planchet the rest of the way. This effect should be evident on all coins with curved clips as well as on the edge of all type 1 blank planchets.