Clipped Planchet Error
This error happens when the planchet is improperly punched from the planchet strip sheet. What happens is that the sheet from where the blanks are punched is fed incorrectly into the punch machine. This occurs when the sheet is not fed properly into the punch press, then blanks will be punched in overlapping holes where a blank was already punched. Thus you get imcomplete planchets. You can have curved clips, straight clips, elliptical clips, bowtie clips, combination clips, and multiple clips. The way to determine a genuine clipped planchet is to look to the opposite end of the clip area. There will an area there of of subtle weakness known as the Blakesley effect. This effect is not present on all genuine clipped planchets. Another way to determine a genuine clip to look for the metal to flow towards the clip area. This is easier to spot if it clipped letters as the remaining letters in the immediate area will appear to be dragged towards the clip area.
