Which 30-S buff, which to keep
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Both are graded the same. This time both displayed with Truviews. This is very much a case of what way your personal preferences lean, as both are solid for the grade. I'm pretty sure I know which way I am leaning, but the last post I did along these lines turned out pretty lively.
Coin 1: Has been in my set for many years. Bought graded off of Teletrade, lived naked in an album for a number of years, and sent it back for grading when I went registry. What always drew me to the piece was the above average strike for the issue. I had/have a thing for gold toning back then as well, which is nicely displayed in the image below. 
Coin 2: Just back from grading, will pickup from PO tomorrow. Bought raw and graded as expected. The draw on this one was the ice blue/violet undertones and a nicer overall eye appeal (at least in my mental image, haven't had a chance to put them side by side). From what I recall the Truview may under sell luster and strike on coin 2.
Comments
1 has better hair detail on the Indian and the buffalo.
What made that print so big?
Oh I see. hashtag.
In the days of common sense, that symbol stood for "number,"
Ok y'all please be careful when typing the "#" sign in your responses!
The first is my clear preference. The central hair braid is nice on that one (and the detail on the buffalo is too). I agree that the color is better on the second but it's not enough to make up the difference.
Much better strike on #1. Oh go for broke keep both.
Wow! I shouldn't come into Buffalo Nickel posts...I sold my set many years ago and swore I would never go back. Seeing these right now are making me reconsider!
Fwiw....I like the HAMMERED Gold just a little bit better. If I was at a show and had these two to choose from, I would go with that one! Obviously you cannot go wrong with either. Congrats on a tough choice!
I think the blue coin is the more attractive coin even if the yellow one might be better struck. It's surely a tough choice, and I can understand your indecision. If I were only keeping one, I'd go with the blue one, but I like your idea of holding them side by side when making the decision. Good luck in your choice...Mike
Coin 2 is a 66 at just about any other time in grading history. It is now graded during this time of insane strictness. I would stick with 2 and send it back in down the road.
I too feel that the second coin is the nicer of the two. I believe it's the tone and lighting that makes the first one "look" like it's struck better, but as I look at them both the second seems nicer to my eyes. I would keep both if I could but the second if I had to choose.
I like them both, If I had to pick 1 to keep it would be 2.
Better eye appeal and such a beautiful tone.....2nd one
I like coin #2 for my taste.
Good luck with your choice. Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
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Door #1.
I like number one the best.
Better strike and nice golden tone.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Number one for me. It has a better strike. If you can find the doubled die obverse (1-O-VI/DDO-001) for this date that variety always comes with an excellent strike, as full as I've seen for the date. I've never seen a true full strike.
Keep both... seriously.
I like gold toning too. No. 1.
2
One is definitely better. I echo Ron's take on it. It's a judgement call according to taste.
The central details and LIBERTY on 2 are weaker.
Pete
I like #1 for the chiseled look on the buff's body and the hair knots on the Indian. While both coins stand alone as very nice examples, #1 appears to be a little nicer strike. Congrats on a nice pair of Buffs. JMO
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
2 has much better eye appeal.
I'm not a big "strike guy" though. I think overall eye appeal and lack of marks trumps strike.........but I am in the minority.
(But I don't care.)
I like #1 for the strike. But I would keep both it's just me I'm a hoarder.
Hoard the keys.
keep the 1st one and send the 2nd to me
It's close, but #1 has the edge!
Keep the strike from Door #1 and the color from Door #2!
Kind regards,
George
I like coin 2 but I like coin 1 better.
Number two for eye appeal and number one for strike. The decision of which to keep would not be a problem for me.... I keep all my coins... so both would stay in my herd of Buff nickels...See how easy that is??
Cheers, RickO
Both look 65 to me. I love the color of the second coin. But being a fan of details, I'd keep coin #1