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2005 D Nickel 3-Legged Buffalo? Mint Error or Alteration? ( Revealed )

ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 22, 2019 11:18AM in U.S. Coin Forum

Let's see if I have this right, I wanna make sure I'm playin' by the rules here. First thread should be about something crazy ya found in a parking lot and have no idea what it is. Then you just up & disappear never to be heard from again. :)

I might have a hard time going away, I think I found Paradise <3 here. :)

Don't they say you have to find 2 or more or it isn't real?


Not sure if these are Buffalo or Bison nickels?

«13

Comments

  • BackroadJunkieBackroadJunkie Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The Mint calls them the "American Bison Nickel".

    American Bison Nickel

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why not "American Buffalo" ?

    Oh, sorry that is another thread. :)

  • AkbeezAkbeez Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You lose. Thems ain't from no parking lot. Strike one.

    :)

    Refs: MCM,Fivecents,Julio,Robman,Endzone,Coiny,Agentjim007,Musky1011,holeinone1972,Tdec1000,Type2,bumanchu, Metalsman,Wondercoin,Pitboss,Tomohawk,carew4me,segoja,thebigeng,jlc_coin,mbogoman,sportsmod,dragon,tychojoe,Schmitz7,claychaser, Bullsitter, robeck, Nickpatton, jwitten, and many OTHERS
  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I call those the Eastern Buffalo's..................unless you turn around :wink:

    Steve

    Promote the Hobby
  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    LOL!

    Need to graduate from parking lot to “buried in the ground for awhile” finds. :)

  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 15, 2018 1:57PM

    Your pics are about 5000 x 5000 pixels too small.

    I like your clever screen name!

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry about the small photo. Let's see if this one is any bigger.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin From that angle looks like the bisons right foreleg is fading away. Possibly the die is wearing away after thousands upon thousands of strikes.

    Pic from Coin Facts for comparison.

  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,025 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Unless the lighting is playing tricks it does indeed look like a contemporary 3-Legged Buff.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree... that right foreleg is 'disappearing'....Could be die wear... Cheers, RickO

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No lighting tricks. Here is another angle.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Please keep the forum updated if you plan on getting the coin attributed/graded/authenticated.

  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,025 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Extreme filled die? Hammered strike though. Interesting.

  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hooray! A three legged cow. Something new to search for. Are you gonna submit it to our host? Is it AU or close to it? Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    looks good, and I don't say that often

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Both coins are maybe in the 63 - 64 range. I can try to get obverse photos later tonight.

    Thanks for the comments! :)

  • toyz4geotoyz4geo Posts: 1,480 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That's a cool find.

    My War Nickels https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/jefferson-nickels-specialty-sets/jefferson-nickels-fs-basic-war-set-circulation-strikes-1942-1945/publishedset/94452

  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,025 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:
    Both coins are maybe in the 63 - 64 range. I can try to get obverse photos later tonight.

    Thanks for the comments! :)

    You should edit the title of your post to something like "Contemporary 3-Legged Buff". I don't think some of the more sage forumites have taken a look. The post needs an opinion from the experts.

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,819 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why does the last photo look like the coin
    is heavily cleaned and possibly buffed ?

    The first photo of the '3 legs' looks legit,
    but this last photo doesn't look right,
    from the different angle.

    I'm suspicious, looking at that photo.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors
    for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks too good to be true. Why hasn't it been already reported years ago?

  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,898 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree with Fred. I thought it could be something until that angled photo. PMD from buffing.


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • AkbeezAkbeez Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Which MM? Bankrolls, Mint rolls, sets or wild?

    Refs: MCM,Fivecents,Julio,Robman,Endzone,Coiny,Agentjim007,Musky1011,holeinone1972,Tdec1000,Type2,bumanchu, Metalsman,Wondercoin,Pitboss,Tomohawk,carew4me,segoja,thebigeng,jlc_coin,mbogoman,sportsmod,dragon,tychojoe,Schmitz7,claychaser, Bullsitter, robeck, Nickpatton, jwitten, and many OTHERS
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,762 ✭✭✭✭✭

    when I looked at it, I saw a double hump. I didn't see the leg missing!

    bob :)

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • AkbeezAkbeez Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There is a 2005-P Detached Leg variety, but it's on the rear left leg where it meets the torso.

    Refs: MCM,Fivecents,Julio,Robman,Endzone,Coiny,Agentjim007,Musky1011,holeinone1972,Tdec1000,Type2,bumanchu, Metalsman,Wondercoin,Pitboss,Tomohawk,carew4me,segoja,thebigeng,jlc_coin,mbogoman,sportsmod,dragon,tychojoe,Schmitz7,claychaser, Bullsitter, robeck, Nickpatton, jwitten, and many OTHERS
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FredWeinberg said:

    Why does the last photo look like the coin
    is heavily cleaned and possibly buffed ?

    The first photo of the '3 legs' looks legit,
    but this last photo doesn't look right,
    from the different angle.

    I'm suspicious, looking at that photo.

    Once you said that I could see how it looks that way. The first 2 photos show the color and condition of the coin better. The last one was taken in a bit of a hurry under just with just regular old room lighting. There are no shiny spots like the photo shows and the coin is not heavily cleaned or buffed. Will work on some other photos.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @koynekwest said:
    Looks too good to be true. Why hasn't it been already reported years ago?

    "Looks too good to be true" Not the first time I have heard that one.

    I have shown them around at several coin shows to quite a few dealers. I get 1 of 2 responses "Is it for sale & how much" or "looks too good to be true". Several have said "in the coin business if it looks too good to be true it is." When asked what was wrong with it no one seems to have an answer. No one has ever mentioned cleaning or buffing.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Oh, and the golden or yellowish toning on the last photo is lighting also.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why don’t you send it to a TPGS? If you send it to the host of this forum then Fred can look at it in-hand.

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    We need a clear sharp close up image of the area in question.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is another one for now, I will work on a close-up and an obverse photos. This one should be larger than the first postage stamp size photo.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Oooops wrong blurry photo.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Try again!

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    One more time.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is one of the obverse. I got 2 quick shots before my camera battery died. Will work on close-ups.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Better photos I hope. Same coin both photos, one with the lighting from the top & one from the bottom.
    Still working on close-ups.

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Look for common die markers on both coins.

    It DOES look too good to be true, tho. Dremels can do some pretty slick things. I doubt if the alterer (if there is one) would bother to check for die markers.

  • AkbeezAkbeez Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Provenance needed. You have two. What's the correlation?

    Refs: MCM,Fivecents,Julio,Robman,Endzone,Coiny,Agentjim007,Musky1011,holeinone1972,Tdec1000,Type2,bumanchu, Metalsman,Wondercoin,Pitboss,Tomohawk,carew4me,segoja,thebigeng,jlc_coin,mbogoman,sportsmod,dragon,tychojoe,Schmitz7,claychaser, Bullsitter, robeck, Nickpatton, jwitten, and many OTHERS
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Hemispherical said:
    Why don’t you send it to a TPGS? If you send it to the host of this forum then Fred can look at it in-hand.

    Because I am in the "too good to be true" crowd.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:

    @Hemispherical said:
    Why don’t you send it to a TPGS? If you send it to the host of this forum then Fred can look at it in-hand.

    Because I am in the "too good to be true" crowd.

    Or you could send to @Insider2 and he can add it to his quizzes.

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How did I miss this thread?
    Glad to have you here!

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Digging around in my past are you. I took more close-ups but never loaded them. Maybe I can do that tonight when I get home.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    New photos, hope they are better. :)

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gonzer said:

    @ifthevamzarockin said:
    Both coins are maybe in the 63 - 64 range. I can try to get obverse photos later tonight.

    Thanks for the comments! :)

    You should edit the title of your post to something like "Contemporary 3-Legged Buff". I don't think some of the more sage forumites have taken a look. The post needs an opinion from the experts.

    Dang! What a great idea! :) Thanks!

    Done deal.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,479 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @koynekwest said:
    Looks too good to be true. Why hasn't it been already reported years ago?

    It's fake! The wrong leg is missing on Black Diamond, and he's not peeing.
    Jefferson Iron Tail's neck don't have a moth eaten look, and NO feathers.

    You should all know the diagnostics by now.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:
    New photos, hope they are better. :)

    Liking the updated pics!

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:

    @koynekwest said:
    Looks too good to be true. Why hasn't it been already reported years ago?

    It's fake! The wrong leg is missing on Black Diamond, and he's not peeing.
    Jefferson Iron Tail's neck don't have a moth eaten look, and NO feathers.

    You should all know the diagnostics by now.

    Pete

    Well, that settles that! Nothing to see here....please go about your business. :D

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,762 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've got dozens of rolls of those dang things just filling up the safe.....but I will not go through them until, or unless, this one gets attributed as a 3 legger...

    bob :)

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:

    It's fake! The wrong leg is missing on Black Diamond, and he's not peeing.
    Jefferson Iron Tail's neck don't have a moth eaten look, and NO feathers.

    You should all know the diagnostics by now.

    Pete

    To the best quotes thread with you sir!
    My ribs hurt from laughing

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,583 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Send the darn thing in already. ;)

    Looks potentially good to me. If you found it in the wild then the likelihood of it being man made are pretty slim.

    You might miss your chance to have the discovery coin recognized.

  • drei3reedrei3ree Posts: 3,430 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 21, 2019 3:12AM

    Doesn't pass the smell test with me...I vote photoshop.

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