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1915 S Buffalo - Genuine?

mnemtsas2mnemtsas2 Posts: 745 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Greetings from Australia. We pulled this out of a bulk lot yesterday and after a swim in acetone this is what came out. The mintmark looks a bit different to the images in the PCGS population report.

Any advice as to authenticity of this coin would be appreciated.

Successful trades with Syracusian, DeiGratia, LordM, WWW, theboz11, CCC2010, Hyperion, ajaan, wybrit, Dennis88 and many others.

Comments

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's not my series, but this coin looks good to me.

    My Ebay Coin Store
  • clarkbar04clarkbar04 Posts: 4,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks authentic and a pretty decent example at that.

    MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.
  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks genuine.

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

    The Mint mark may look different. It's placement varied from die to die and several different dies were used for the '15-S.

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,567 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like it.

  • mnemtsas2mnemtsas2 Posts: 745 ✭✭✭

    Thanks all. I've got no real grading knowledge of this series, but I am thinking in the low AU range. Any opinions?

    Successful trades with Syracusian, DeiGratia, LordM, WWW, theboz11, CCC2010, Hyperion, ajaan, wybrit, Dennis88 and many others.
  • COINS MAKE CENTSCOINS MAKE CENTS Posts: 1,829 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks good to me! Nice coin!

    New inventory added daily at Coins Make Cents
    HAPPY COLLECTING


  • clarkbar04clarkbar04 Posts: 4,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks closer to a 63 to me but I’m on my phone looking at a small pic.

    MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.
  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks 62ish.

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

    I think it's Mint state-maybe a 62 or 63.

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I feel it is a well struck 15s and would guess the grade as MS63. Nice coin. Thanks for sharing.
    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
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You may want to check the edge of the coin below the mintmark, for any evidence of embossing.
    If genuine, it's an exceptionally well struck 15S, and very tough date in the series, and yes I agree it
    would likely grade ~63.

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,482 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That really is a nicely struck 15-S. I don't see any wear and think it will grade 63 minimum.

    The fields look real good and clean.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks genuine to me. Real nice looking coin.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

  • 1Bufffan1Bufffan Posts: 644 ✭✭✭

    That's a great coin and it does look genuine! it's a keeper.

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ah Contrair! Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    @ricko said:
    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @amwldcoin ....You are correct.... I was only thinking of the 'easy' method..... Good point for sure. Cheers, RickO

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    That's exactly why I suggested to inspect for evidence of embossing - I've heard of dealers getting burned by this
    on expensive Buff nickels, and the 'technique' has been around a long time.

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This brings to mind something I saw happen years ago and know the 2 dealers involved. Dealer A sells dealer B a PCGS MS64 27-S Buffalo Nickel. Dealer B, cracks it out and resubmits to PCGS trying for a 65. It comes back added MM! YIKES! There was a lot of back and forth but a compromise was reached.

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    That's exactly why I suggested to inspect for evidence of embossing - I've heard of dealers getting burned by this
    on expensive Buff nickels, and the 'technique' has been around a long time.

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Compromise?

    Like what? Separate grades for the coin and the added mintmark? ;):D

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well, If you asked me I think dealer B should own it as he cost dealer A any recourse. I don't remember the numbers or if I even knew them...only a lot of raised voices on the bourse floor!

    @topstuf said:
    Compromise?

    Like what? Separate grades for the coin and the added mintmark? ;):D

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @amwldcoin said:
    Ah Contrair! Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    @ricko said:
    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

    I've heard of this but have never seen one, or photos of one. Do you have any that you can show?

    Collector, occasional seller

  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @amwldcoin said:
    Ah Contrair! Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    @ricko said:
    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

    Learned something new. If there's a will there's a way.

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2020 10:06AM

    @ChrisH821 said:

    @amwldcoin said:
    Ah Contrair! Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    @ricko said:
    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

    I've heard of this but have never seen one, or photos of one. Do you have any that you can show?

    If you look in most major Grading & Counterfeit detection guide books, they show examples.
    I'm not at home with my library, otherwise I could provide specific books and chapters.

    I haven't seen Insider posting for a few days, but I bet he could provide some.

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 13,988 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not only does it look genuine, it also looks like a 64 and if the luster is there a 65. A beautiful Buff👌

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,567 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A coin that needs certification.

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,273 ✭✭✭✭✭

    looks good to me - AU58 ?

    probably was a nice unexpected find in the bulk lot.

  • OldhoopsterOldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2020 11:29AM

    @ChrisH821 said:

    @amwldcoin said:
    Ah Contrair! Many added MM's are made by drilling a small hole in the edge and pushing the metal up then refilling the hole.

    @ricko said:
    Since you gave it an acetone bath, and the mint mark did not float off ;) then I think it is an original Buff...maybe 62/63.... Cheers, RickO

    I've heard of this but have never seen one, or photos of one. Do you have any that you can show?

    Sorry, I don't have time to look it up, but I believe there were examples published in the Counterfeit ID column of The Numismatist back in the 90s. Might take some time, but if you have access, that would be a good place to check.

    But as @Walkerguy21D said, @Insider2 may have easy access to pics. I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote about them in his column back in the day

    Member of the ANA since 1982
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2020 2:36PM

    From the PCGS grading guide, first edition, page 247. Note that generally the embossed area on
    the edge is 'polished up', to hide the handy work.
    I'm provide this merely as educational information, and am in no way implying the OP's coin is altered:



    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug

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