Do you think it would be worth sending this off to PCGS to be authenticated? Die crack and a lamination error? I know an error is rare, but to completely different ones? Bad planchet struck with a bad die.
It does appear to be a die crack and lamination. Cool error, but there really isn't much of a premium (if any) over the silver melt value. Worthy of a 2x2, but not worth the costs you would spend to get it authenticated.
Hi Jason. Welcome to CoinTalk Small die cracks are common and have little to no added value. The lamination error is minor and very common on Wartime 35% silver nickels. Nice to save but not worth getting graded Maybe a couple dollar value Here’s one of mine
I send my Lamination Errors to NGC because I use my slabs for educational purposes not for profit. I have never sold a coin in 36 years of collecting! (Expect a US platinum coin on ebay like 10 years ago. I needed some money)
It's only worth what a collector of those type of errors would be willing to pay for them. Not much of a premium. Die Cracks are common and depending on the severity of the Lamination just a few dollars. Nothing to retire on.
Good to see you joined Coin Talk as you begin your adventure in coin collecting. You will learn a lot from the many coin collectors and coin dealers on here. Many have been collecting for 40, 50, 60, and 70 or more years. They have much experience which they like to pass on to younger collectors. Follow the consensus of their advice. The value of your coin is silver plus what a collector will pay for the premium of the cracked die and the lamination. As you read books, you will learn the metal combination used for the war nickels was prone to lamination due to a poor mix and contaminants in the mixture. Over time you will find more lamination and die cracked coins and they exist in all denominations. Some collectors keep everything raw. Some like slabs. As you study coin collecting, read books, learn grading and learn die characteristics of the coins you collect, You will find it's not necessary to slab a coin unless it is one commonly altered or counterfeited or there is a large increase in value for one higher grade. Don't be afraid to ask questions on here. No question is "stupid". Most Coin Talkers are serious, one or two might give a sarcastic answer. You will soon learn who they are and don't stop being a Coin Talker because you got a sarcastic answer to a question. Listen to the advice of the serious collector and dealer. Happy coin collecting. You have a nice coin for a die crack and lamination issue.
@Jason Cagle ...you are very welcome. It’s hard for forum members to know the expertise level of new members, so I offer the following if no one has done so: Go to John Wexer’s website, doubleddie.com and read all the neat and very informative articles there. 2 more good sites: error-ref.com will show you what real, bonafide mint errors are...and if you are into Lincoln cents the site lincolncentresource.com is excellent for all things Lincoln. Welcome again, hope this helps...Spark
I have never sold a coin in 36 years of collecting! (Expect a US platinum coin on ebay like 10 years ago. I needed some money) For more coins or more MD equipment I’m sure!
If you sent this coin in to be graded you would never recover your costs to do so. It's a nice coin with two different Mint errors but that does not make it valuable so just put it in a 2 x 2 and hang onto it.
I have always been curious about coins and their value, since when I was about 11, I found a 1858 American quarter in change at the CNE in Toronto. I still have that coin though its value has not changed. After starting to work in Houston, I "joined" with a throng of people searching for 1950-D nickels and some assorted pennies. In the next few years, I'm sure I looked at every coin that hit my hand, but finally had to buy a 50-D coin to almost complete a Jefferson nickel collection. During that time, of course, I found many "silver" nickels to save and I was able to give a complete set of those coins to a friend to complement his collection. I hope he still has that coin set. Lately, I have been looking at "wheat ear" pennies, without much luck, I might add. But it is fun as long as my eyes hold out.