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three and one half legged buffalo nickel question -- do you consider this a three and & 1/2 legger?

BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭✭✭

Here is an image of a slabbed 3 and one half legged buffalo nickel

Do you consider this a three and one half legger? It is the correct die, the bison’s back leg is “ratty” just like the 37d 3 legger,
the area below the bison’s belly resembles that of the 37d 3 legger, and the “6” in the date has a small “spike” the protrudes
leftwards at the bottom of the date. It is the correct die pair that produced this abraded die variety.

Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"

Comments

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

    It may be the correct die but I wouldn't pay a premium for it. There are examples that are from a more advanced state of the die that show a considerably weaker leg. I'd hold out for one of those.

  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,676 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The die looks correct, but like above, too early in its stage. If I am paying for a 3 1/2 leg, I want to see the 3 1/2 leg otherwise who cares, I just as well get a 16-d normal

  • BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 8, 2019 5:18AM

    Maybe this variety should be referred to as “small right front leg” for the earlier die states.

    Here is the reverse of a 27d three and one half legger that looks like it really deserves to be called such

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • OnWithTheHuntOnWithTheHunt Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Agree that the leg looks pretty strong on Tom's example, but I've found several; of these, and have noticed that photos can sometimes exaggerate the strength. Here's an example I just submitted to our host and believe it deserves the attribution.

    Proud recipient of the coveted "You Suck Award" (9/3/10).
  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,494 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Agree, I wouldn't consider it one.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • jabbajabba Posts: 3,176 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I believe the die starts with a leg bone showing degrading into nothing they are still considered 3 leg if they have the other markers I’ve not seen a difference in price for that one that had a little lag to one that fully gone buts it’s hard to compare because no two coins are identical

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That Buff (the OP) is not one I would buy as a 3 1/2 leg coin....Just too much leg. Cheers, RickO

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

    This is about the best example I've seen of the variety. It's a coin I used to own. This is a very advanced die state, which makes for a weaker leg.

  • BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @koynekwest said:
    This is about the best example I've seen of the variety. It's a coin I used to own. This is a very advanced die state, which makes for a weaker leg.

    Koynequest’s example is almost identical to one I found at a coin show here in Akron Ohio in 2004. A real weak leg and the first one I found and it ultimately went to a SEGS VF20 slab and sold on eBay for $700.00. This die state that shows a weak leg like the one shown above (Koyneqwest’s) are very rare IMO.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I remember when you found it.

  • DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had one I crossed for a friend that sold at the FUN winter auction (a couple years ago) that was graded AU 50. It came from an ANACS AU 53 holder that crossed at that grade. I believe at the time it was 2nd finest known at AU 53. They are very rare. A portion of the leg is completely missing.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.

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