Mint-made errors are called "type-2 blanks (or planchets)" after an upending mill adds uniform, rounded rims. Type-2 blanks may also be considered striking errors as they are prepared correctly, but are released without having been struck. A misfeed can occur when the metal strip is fed through the blanking machine. The punches sometimes overlap the leading edge of the metal producing a straight clip. Sometimes, the punches strike an area of the strip which overlaps the hole left by the previous strike producing a curved clip. Sometimes punches strike the irregular trailing edge of the metal strip producing irregular clips. Coins are
Metal clay used by artists more often than the gold and silver metal clays in the American market place. The actual creation time of a bronze or copper piece is also far greater than that of its silver counterpart. Base metal clays, such as bronze, copper, and steel metal clays are best fired in the absence of oxygen to eliminate the oxidation of the metal by atmospheric oxygen. A means to accomplish this –- to place the pieces in activated carbon inside a container – was developed by Bill Struve. Metal clays are also available as dry powders to which water is