1972-S Proof Eisenhower Dollar "Clover Leaf" Error Struck on Two Cent Planchets and One Nickel Planchet
On January 20, 2026, CoinWeek published a Mint Error News article by Mike Byers describing a 1972-S Proof Eisenhower Dollar "clover leaf" error, in which two cent planchets and one nickel planchet were struck together in place of a dollar planchet. The article also says the first known Proof Ike Dollar "clover leaf," struck on three dime planchets, sold in a Heritage Auction for $105,000.
Correction (Oct 13, 2026): We rewrote the headline, summary and body to match the source. We removed unsupported claims that the error exposed a failure of U.S. Mint safeguards, that metal analysis confirmed its authenticity, that it dated from the 1960s, descriptions of Mint production conditions at the time, a $2,500-$8,500 price range and investment commentary, and corrected the planchets involved to two cent planchets and one nickel planchet (no dollar planchet), as the source states. The previous headline was "Proof Ike Dollar Clover Leaf Error Exposes U.S. Mint Operational Safeguard Failure."
This article is based on a Mint Error News article by Mike Byers published by CoinWeek on January 20, 2026. The descriptions below are Byers's.
Three Small Planchets Struck at Once
Byers describes a 1972-S Proof Eisenhower Dollar "clover leaf" error. Three planchets of different denominations entered the striking chamber at the same time: two copper-alloy cent planchets and one copper-nickel nickel planchet. They were struck together during a single Proof strike.
How It Happened
According to the article, Eisenhower Dollars require a large, dollar-sized planchet that fits securely inside the striking collar. In this case, three smaller planchets took the place of the correct dollar planchet. Because cent and nickel planchets are far smaller than a dollar planchet, they could not seat properly within the collar and overlapped inside it before the dies struck.
Evidence of a Single Strike
When the Proof dies struck, each planchet pressed into the others, leaving clear indentations and matching contours along their edges. Each piece mates with the other two. Byers says these interlocking impressions confirm that all three planchets were struck together in one event.
Byers's Assessment
Byers writes that errors involving multiple compositions in one strike are extremely rare, especially in Proof coinage. He notes that Proof coins undergo higher quality control than circulation strikes, so Proof mint errors appear far less often.
The article states that the first known Proof Ike Dollar "clover leaf," struck on three dime planchets, sold in a Heritage Auction for $105,000. The article does not give the date of that sale.
Source: CoinWeek (Mike Byers, Mint Error News), "Mike Byers Mint Error News – Unique Proof Ike Dollar 'Clover Leaf' on Nickel and Cent Planchets" (January 20, 2026).
Read next
Weekly Market Intelligence
Weekly rare coin intelligence — auctions, price action, and analysis, delivered via LINE.
Free · Instant · Block anytime