Preserving Your Indian Head Nickel Lamination Error: A Conservationist’s Guide

The Silent Threat to Your Coin Collection

I’ve seen too many valuable pieces ruined by improper cleaning or storage. Here is how to keep this safe for the next generation.

Understanding Your 1918-S Indian Head Nickel Lamination Error

The 1918-S Indian Head Nickel with a lamination error represents a fascinating piece of minting history. Before we discuss preservation, let’s understand what makes this coin unique. A lamination error occurs when the surface of a coin cracks and flakes due to impurities or contaminants in the metal alloy. This can happen when foreign bodies or impurities are trapped inside the metal during the production process, leading to the peeling away of the coin’s surface layer.

The 1918-S minting occurred at the San Francisco Mint during a period when the United States was using a copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel) for five-cent pieces. The lamination you’re observing likely resulted from either sulfur contamination in the nickel source material or an improper mix of the alloy components. Some experts suggest that many laminations are caused by an uneven mix of the alloy rather than foreign impurities. Nickel occurs in nature in sulfide ores, and if the nickel source contained too much sulfur, it could result in an uneven mix with the copper when US nickel planchets were made.

The Science Behind Lamination Errors

Understanding the metallurgy helps explain why your coin needs special care. The melting pot didn’t get stirred enough, or the annealing process wasn’t properly executed. Annealing is a heating process done on the planchets to make the metal softer. Since nickel is quite a bit harder than copper, the annealing process for nickel coins might be more critical to get right than for other denominations. This could explain why there are lots of nickel lamination errors seen, especially among Indian Head nickels.

Common Causes of Lamination Errors

• Sulfur contamination from nickel sulfide ores
• Improper alloy mixing during production
• Incomplete or improper annealing of planchets
• Contamination during the melting process

To Clean or Not to Clean: The Golden Rule of Coin Preservation

The most critical decision you’ll make with your 1918-S lamination error is whether to clean it. My professional recommendation: do not clean this coin under any circumstances. Here’s why:

Cleaning a coin, especially one with a lamination error, can dramatically reduce its value and destroy historical evidence. The toning, oxidation patterns, and even the dirt on your coin tell a story about its journey through time.

Many collectors mistakenly believe that a shiny coin is more valuable. In reality, original surfaces—even if they appear tarnished or dirty—are almost always more desirable to serious collectors and dealers. The lamination error on your coin is already a significant defect; cleaning could make it virtually worthless.

Understanding Toning and Oxidation

Toning on copper-nickel coins develops naturally over decades of exposure to air, moisture, and chemicals in the environment. This toning isn’t damage—it’s history. The blue, green, or even purple hues that may appear on your 1918-S nickel are the result of a natural chemical process where the metals in the alloy react with sulfur compounds in the air.

Oxidation on copper-nickel coins typically appears as a dulling of the original mint luster or the development of a gray or brownish patina. This is completely normal and should be preserved, not removed. The lamination error you have may have accelerated some of these processes in the affected areas, creating unique patterns that make your coin even more interesting to collectors.

PVC Damage: The Hidden Enemy

One of the most common and devastating forms of damage to coins comes from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) exposure. Many older coin holders and flips contained PVC, which can leach out over time and create a slimy green residue that permanently damages the coin’s surface.

Check your storage method immediately. If you’re using old plastic holders, they may contain PVC. The damage from PVC is irreversible and can significantly reduce a coin’s value. For your 1918-S lamination error, which already has surface issues, PVC damage could be catastrophic.

Proper Holders for Long-Term Preservation

Once you’ve committed to preserving your coin in its current state, you need to ensure it’s stored in archival-quality materials. Here are the best options:

Archival-Quality Coin Holders

• Acid-free cardboard 2×2 holders with Mylar windows
• Hard plastic capsules (make sure they’re PVC-free)
• Archival-quality flips made from polyester or polyethylene
• Air-tite holders for individual coins

What to Avoid

• Standard PVC flips (look for “PVC-free” labeling)
• Paper envelopes (unless specifically designed for coin storage)
• Regular plastic bags or containers
• Direct contact with other coins

Environmental Considerations

Where you store your coin collection is just as important as how you store it. Your 1918-S lamination error needs protection from:

Humidity

High humidity can accelerate toning and potentially cause further deterioration of the lamination areas. Aim to store your coins in an environment with 40-50% relative humidity. Consider using silica gel packets in your storage area to control moisture.

Temperature Fluctuations

Extreme temperature changes can cause metals to expand and contract, potentially worsening existing lamination issues. Keep your collection in a climate-controlled environment away from exterior walls, windows, and heating/cooling vents.

Light Exposure

While some light exposure won’t immediately damage your coin, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or UV light can accelerate toning and potentially affect the metal over very long periods. Store your collection in a dark location or use UV-filtering materials.

Pollution and Chemicals

Keep your coins away from areas where they might be exposed to household chemicals, car exhaust fumes, or other pollutants. Even the oils from your skin can damage coins over time, so always handle them by the edges or wear cotton gloves.

Documentation and Authentication

For a coin with a lamination error like yours, documentation becomes especially important. Take clear, high-resolution photographs of both sides of the coin, noting the date, mint mark, and specific characteristics of the lamination. This documentation will be valuable if you ever decide to sell or insure the coin.

While the original poster mentioned that grading isn’t economically feasible for a coin valued at $20-30, having professional authentication can still be worthwhile for peace of mind and future value assessment. A certified authentication from a reputable service provides documentation of the coin’s authenticity and error type.

Insurance Considerations

Even though your 1918-S lamination error might only be worth $25-30, it’s still a collectible item with historical significance. If you have a substantial collection, consider adding a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to cover your coins. Document each piece with photographs and descriptions, and store this documentation separately from your collection.

Teaching the Next Generation

One of the most rewarding aspects of coin collecting is passing knowledge to others. Your 1918-S lamination error provides an excellent teaching opportunity about minting processes, metallurgy, and the importance of preservation. Consider creating a small display or write-up about the coin’s history and the science behind lamination errors to share with fellow collectors or young family members interested in numismatics.

Conclusion: Preserving History, One Coin at a Time

Your 1918-S Indian Head Nickel with its lamination error is more than just a collectible—it’s a tangible piece of American minting history. The defect that makes it imperfect also makes it unique and educational. By following proper preservation techniques, you’re ensuring that this piece of history remains intact for future collectors to study and appreciate.

Remember that the goal of preservation isn’t to make a coin look perfect, but to maintain its current state and prevent further deterioration. Your lamination error tells a story about the challenges of early 20th-century minting technology, and that story deserves to be preserved. With proper storage, careful handling, and a commitment to leaving it uncleaned, your 1918-S nickel will remain a valuable piece of your collection for decades to come.

The next time you examine your coin, appreciate not just its monetary value but its role as a historical artifact that survived the minting process with a unique flaw. That flaw, properly preserved, is what makes your coin special and worthy of careful conservation.

Related Resources

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