Lamination errors occur when impurities, gas pockets, or improperly mixed alloys in the planchet cause layers of metal to separate, peel, or flake off the coin's surface. These errors can range from minor surface peeling to dramatic chunks of missing metal. Lamination errors are found on coins of all denominations and eras.
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Scan My CoinA layer of metal has separated from the surface but remains attached, creating a flap or bubble on the coin.
How to check: Look for a raised flap or blister on the coin's surface. The peeled layer is still connected to the coin at one or more points.
$10 - $100A layer of metal has completely separated and fallen away, leaving an irregular void exposing the inner core or layer.
How to check: Look for an irregularly shaped area of missing surface metal. The exposed area will show a different texture or color from the surrounding surface.
$15 - $150The planchet has split into two separate layers, resulting in a coin that is abnormally thin on one or both pieces.
How to check: The coin will be noticeably thinner and lighter than normal. One side may show the full design while the other is blank or shows a mirror image.
$25 - $200A crack within the planchet that becomes visible after striking, appearing as a jagged line across the coin.
How to check: Look for jagged, irregular lines in the surface that differ from die cracks. Lamination cracks tend to follow the metal grain rather than straight lines.
$5 - $75On clad coins (post-1964), one of the copper-nickel outer layers has partially or fully separated from the copper core.
How to check: The coin shows copper color on one side where the clad layer is missing. It may weigh less than normal.
$20 - $200Lamination errors are caused by impurities, gas pockets, or incomplete bonding in the coin metal during the strip rolling process. Contaminants trapped between layers weaken the bond, causing separation during or after striking.
Value ranges from $5 for minor peeling to $200+ for dramatic split planchets or large missing laminations. Larger, more dramatic lamination errors on popular denominations command the highest premiums.
Lamination errors are relatively common compared to other error types. They occur on all denominations and all eras of US coinage. War nickels (1942-1945) are particularly prone to lamination due to their unusual alloy.
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