What is a Lamination error coin? How are lamination error coins made? What is the value of a Lamination error coin? We will answer these questions on Lamination error coins and show some dramatic examples.
What is a lamination error coin?
Lamination issues occur well before the coin is struck. Let us go all the way back to very beginning of coin making. In days past, the US Mint used to manufacture their own planchets. They did the entire process from purchasing the metal, creating the sheets of cake-layer quality planchets. They then cut out those planchets and eventually fed them into a minting press and created coins.
Lamination error coins happen when the layering of the metal is not pure. The layering can be uneven, not a proper mixture or a layer of metal can be simply too thin. When a minting press strikes a blank planchet into coins, there are a few additional things that may aid in producing a lamination error coin. If too much grease is applied to the die, it can act like a suction cup. As the die pulls away after pressing the coin, that added suction can easily remove any lose layers of metal, instantly creating a lamination error coin.
Another way to think of it is this. I am sure you have heard or seen some one attempting to make a pie crust. They add flour to the base of the mat. Then they add a blob of dough and offer a slight sprinkling of flour. They take a rolling pin and start spreading out the dough but after a brief period, the dough starts to adhere or stick to the rolling pin. In the simplest form, this can be a form of lamination.
Lamination error coins – different scenarios can create a lamination
Lamination error coins do not come from just a lamination issue. There can be other factors included that can aid in a lamination error coin being created. Should a coin be subject to a “struck through” condion, such as grease, debris, another coin, cloth, or some other items that might find their way in between a coin and a working die on a the minting press, it may aid in causing the layers of metal on the recently struck coin to separate and eventually turn into a lamination error coin.
Lamination error coin collectability
Lamination error coins are sought after by error coin collectors but they have to be quite dramatic. It is best if the lamination error coins are slabbed and verified by a third party grading service. This shows that your lamination error coins have the integrity and are truly made by the mint and not “home made”. Slabbing the coin will also help stabilize the lamination error coins. Some can be very fragile and can simply fall off and no longer be connected to the coin. Lamination error coins with the lamination still intact are more likely to sell than laminations that have become disconnected.
What is the value of lamination error coins?
The old addage: “A coin is only worth as much as the collector is willing to pay for it.” applies here. The more dramatic the error, the more a person can ask. Drama is everything when it comes to error coins. I will add a few photos of Lamination error coins we have in stock. These eventually will be in the MintErrors.org coin shop: https://minterrors.org/product-category/major-mint-error-coins/
Value for each coin shown below is probably between $40 for the first coin shown and $80 for the rest. Prices may be higher for a desirable year and grade. They are worth more if they are Proof coins. Again, premium prices can be had if they are certified by a third party grading company and are slabbed.
Not a big fan of Multiple struck coins? Take a look at our major mint error coins called Die Caps: Die Cap Major Mint Error Coins (minterrors.org)
Looking for “normal” coins? Please see Shop – US Coins, Silver Bullion and Numismatic products and services – TheCoinStore.org