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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!







Comments

  • SteveBellSteveBell Posts: 58 ✭✭✭
    edited October 17, 2017 3:19PM

    Struck on a Split planchet?

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • CascadeChrisCascadeChris Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Mega peeling lamination. Nice!

    The more you VAM..
  • air4mdcair4mdc Posts: 938 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,538 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Somebody pulled that back. Definitely a major lamination. Bad planchet stock.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice error but too bad someone peeked under the fur.

  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well that is unique.... a clamshell Buff.... No idea of value but certainly a keeper. Cheers, RickO

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,538 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fred..........that puts it into perspective (price wise). You willingly share your knowledge.....which is a great thing!

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Clamshell errors are ubber cool. I got lucky finding a Lincoln clamshell in the wild.





    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    clamshell.

  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Neat error.

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