Cracking and peeling of the metal is not normal, but yet not uncommon. It sounds like a lamination error. I am just going on what you say. I can not see close detail in your photos. It would be helpful if you could Crop your photos before posting them.
It's a lamination error. There's no such thing as a plating issue on pre-1982 cents (they aren't plated).
Not all that crazy - clever coin shop owners will often include interesting coins in change - my local guy gives the golden dollar president coins for change, sort of like old school philatelists who always use perforated (glue back) commemorative stamps on letters and packages