Improper Alloy Mixture Mint Error Woodies

Improper alloy mixture is when two or more alloys that make up the coil stock that planchets are punched out of and do not properly mix so this creates a “wood” grain effect of the metal. Coins that display this wood grain appearance are affectionately called “Woodies”.
Some collectors like them and other collectors hate them.

I see many Lincoln Cents Woodies and some foreign copper and bronze Woodies.

I have this Iceland 1942 10 Aurar made of zinc and I do like it. Being the only metal used to make this coin is zinc - so – must have been some impurity was added to make this coin a Woody.

If you like show your Woodies here.

Quote: "edduns"​
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​Improper alloy mixture is when two or more alloys that make up the coil stock that planchets are punched out of and do not properly mix so this creates a “wood” grain effect of the metal. Coins that display this wood grain appearance are affectionately called “Woodies”.
​Some collectors like them and other collectors hate them.
​
​I see many Lincoln Cents Woodies and some foreign copper and bronze Woodies.
​
​I have this Iceland 1942 10 Aurar made of zinc and I do like it. Being the only metal used to make this coin is zinc - so – must have been some impurity was added to make this coin a Woody.
​
​If you like show your Woodies here.

​

Ed that looks great. Love wood grain on coppers.

Quote: "ALLRED1950"​ Ed that looks great. Love wood grain on coppers.

Thanks Daryl I am also getting to like these - maybe a I will put a set together - ​all grains going the same way. Ed

Wow, that's great! I'll have to keep my eye out for one.

Couple of Large Cents. Love that woodgrain also. I didnt know it was a metal alloy issue. Thought it was a type of environmental toning.Pretty cool..

You can find some odd things when they are rolling the metal to size. Before they punch out blanks. Some from the alloy mix or just rolling error.

The line on last coin is well above the face of the coin. My be I die issues too.

I know if alloy mixture is not right. Not all melted and mixed. When rolling can make a harder part of the alloy That did not mix in can flake off.

johnspa : Nice examples - I found this site has a good read on the subject.

http://www.error-ref.com/improper-alloy-mix/

Quote: "ALLRED1950"​You can find some odd things when they are rolling the metal to size. Before they punch out blanks. Some from the alloy mix or just rolling error.
​
​The line on last coin is well above the face of the coin. My be I die issues too.
​
​ I know if alloy mixture is not right. Not all melted and mixed. When rolling can make a harder part of the alloy That did not mix in can flake off.

Daryl you might be right and that is why we see lamination on coins.
​I have to admit Daryl - that is two butt ugly coins.

Yes they are ugly. But have not found any of my woodies.

Well with my own eyes I have seen metal flaking out in cold rolling. Normally on the edges.But can happen any where on the metal. When rolling if the alloy not mix all the away. Some metal not mixed in. The pressure on the two different metal well thin differently. causing the metals to be pulled apart from each other

Actually have bad memories of that . I was rolling about 16 mm dia wire in a small index. And hit a hard spot were the wire broke. Take out two shifts at 2000 dollars each and about 600 dollars of tooling. And had to have some rather large pieces of tool steel removed from my arm .
The hard spot was a area of the wire that was not mixed well

Sorry about that Daryl - you keep safe my friend. Ed

That was a few years ago. Cold rolling a chrome sil spring wire.

I really like this effect, too. I have a few UK pennies like this. None immediately to hand to take a photo, but I'll see if I can later.

I have some coins like this. I hate them. Don't know where they are at the moment. I always thought they came from harsh cleaning. Thanks for the new bit of knowledge.

Will

I was wondering if the 3rd party graders would grade a woody. I found this on E Bay

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1909-S-VDB-Lincoln-Wheat-Cent-1C-PCGS-VF25-Rare-Key-Date-Certified-Penny/142706691854?hash=item2139fb4f0e:g:dOEAAOxy9X5TW-pS

Quote: "Coinman48"​I have some coins like this. I hate them. Don't know where they are at the moment. I always thought they came from harsh cleaning. Thanks for the new bit of knowledge.
​
​Will

If you hate them, ​you should send them to edduns, he’s putting a collection of them together!

Wow, that is nice to know. I though it was cleaning damage also. I think I have a Canadian cent that was like that. I like it a lot. Send me yours!