Those are called "planchets" They are the pre-coin phase, get made into coins. They are both copper(3.1g) or zinc core (2.5g). A blank is first cut from a plate stock, which is then put through an upsetting mill to put the Pre-rim and edge on, then gets "coined".
Every coin goes through these stages. Blanking Process
The mint gives them away at special events. And in some years put one into the mint sets when there were only 5 coins issued and six spaces (they also put plastic rounds with a P or D on it). And they do manage to slip through the coin press w/o being struck.
Just no way to tell
-----Burton
50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973)
Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA
Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club
Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983)
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