1857 Flying Eagle Cent Lamination Peel

Description

A lamination peel extends across the reverse of this 1857 Flying Eagle cent, running from the E in ONE through the N in CENT to the bow of the wreath. Lamination defects are planchet errors occurring before striking, when impurities, gas pockets, or improper metal mixing cause internal layers to separate. The separated layer may remain as a raised flap or peel away entirely, leaving an irregular recess. The 1857 Flying Eagle cent was struck in 88% copper and 12% nickel, a composition prone to lamination because of the difficulty of thoroughly mixing metals with different melting points and densities. The Flying Eagle series, limited to 1856-1858, was the Mint's first small cent denomination, transitioning away from large copper cents produced since 1793. The specific path of this peel across multiple reverse design elements makes it a well-documented example of the metallurgical challenges inherent in the new copper-nickel alloy.