Which 30-S buff, which to keep

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
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Door #1.
I like number one the best.
Better strike and nice golden tone.
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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
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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