Astonishing Buffalo error - opinions?

First, what's the deal, and second, what's this little bugger worth? I've never seen anything like it. It's as if 75% of the reverse is peeling off, but is still firmly attached. It's hard to believe this coin circulated in this condition!
3
Comments
Struck on a Split planchet?
In the fourth image down (full reverse) do you see the raised furrow about 1/3 down rom the top? That indicates that the reverse was peeled up more at one time and then pushed back down. Check the entire edge for any places where a tool was poked into the coin to split it further. Nevertheless, it looks like a nice major error. Value ? Ask Fred.
Delamination that someone forced back and creased.
Mega peeling lamination. Nice!
Thanks for posting.....I always enjoy trying to solve the mystery....." error or PMD?"
I would enjoy having a job like FW or JS, .....error coin gurus.
I don't know much about delamination errors. I like the coin, but I wonder what caused the rim damage at the 4 o'clock position, and why the the edge of the delamination is rounded and not sharp from what I see in picture #6.....most notably the 4 o'clock position.
Somebody pulled that back. Definitely a major lamination. Bad planchet stock.
Pete
Nice error but too bad someone peeked under the fur.
The colloquial term is "clamshell lamination." They are not very common and rather dramatic.
It's value is somewhat difficult to estimate since it has been "assisted" by being pried open. Delaminations on nickels are common, but being a Buffalo nickel there will be greater interest.
Here is the first coin I purchased from Fred many, many years ago. It's the only known twenty-cent piece "clamshell." It's also the victim of enthusiastic prying. I cannot find an image showing the edge, but it looks very similar to the OP's.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Well that is unique.... a clamshell Buff.... No idea of value but certainly a keeper. Cheers, RickO
It's not a traditional 'clamshell' in the sense that
most of those are split almost in half, on the edge.
I would still call this a clamshell lamination, and
a nice example. (yes, it's been 'helped' open)
Very common on War Nickels, reg. Jefferson Nickels,
and less so on Buffalo Nickels , Liberty Nickels and Shield Nickels.
Yes, this type of split is scarer than most other major laminations.
Value - always difficult to put an exact price on such an item,
as everyone values these types of errors individually, and it
also depends on which side of the coin you're on.
As an estimate, I'd say it's a $125- $150 full retail item, or thereabouts.
Fred..........that puts it into perspective (price wise). You willingly share your knowledge.....which is a great thing!
Pete
Clamshell errors are ubber cool. I got lucky finding a Lincoln clamshell in the wild.






clamshell.
Neat error.