What would you grade this Buffalo nickel?
coinbuf
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I know my photos aren't the very best but give me your thoughts on grade, and any comments are welcome. 
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Comments
Late die state or weakly struck - but luster and color looks good - 64 shot 5.
With a better strike I'd be inclined to grade it higher.
Looks AU-58 to me.
Very slight rub on the hip and cheek area.
That is if the pictures can be believed.
Pete
65.
First thought is 65
Too much glare on the surface to grade!
Since you probably would not post an AU-58, I'll guess at least MS-66 in spite of a little weakness.
Agree with Walkerguy21D stated about die condition......but, my wallet only works up to 63.
I would say MS63 or 64.....Good pictures but a little glare....Cheers, RickO
Hmm 65?
MS66, shot MS65.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Looks like people should be checking with Mr. BuffaloIronTail to see if he has any 58s for sale.
I think he’s usually good with his grade guesses and the pictures don’t allow for anywhere close to optimal viewing of the coin’s surfaces. Although I guessed 66, anything as low as 58 wouldn’t really surprise me.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
If 58 to 66 is a reasonable range, it kind of makes "guess the grade" a rather pointless exercise, wouldn't you think?
I do and I usually refrain from participating when I feel the images make for such an exercise. But I couldn’t help myself in this instance.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Absolutely NOT. You will eventually learn that the difference between a TRUE AU-58 and a MS-65 or MS-66 has become mostly a subjective, personal evaluation. There is a story about a $20 Saint in a Federal court case back in the early 1980's that was graded AU-58 and MS-65 by knowledgeable professionals under oath while acting as expert witnesses.
IMO, GTG is very helpful as it teaches us how the "big boys" grade.
The problem is that people who don’t know what they’re doing can get it “right”, while those who do, can get it “wrong”. Thus the “teaching” can be misleading.
That’s why I sometimes comment on others’ grade guesses before the grades are posted. You might see me write something like “I can’t understand the grade guesses above (or below) grade X.”
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
IMO, commenting on someone's grade opinion and getting them to explain it makes a GTG more informative. Anyone can post a guess. Rarely do posters explain why they picked one grade over another.
The picture shows what looks like rub.
It's the PICTURE. Not me. I explained what I thought I saw.
I HATE trying to grade from pictures.
Ya know what? From now on I WON'T.
Pete
I'll guess MS65.
Looks MS 66 IMO.
NO WAY! Say it ain't so Pete.
The comment came from @MasonG. Need I write more? I'll bet he was joking because I SAW THE RUB (change of color) ALSO. Nevertheless, I believe the lack of marks and luster will rate MS-65 at the minimum and I guessed the outside chance of MS-66 because of its color and eye appeal.
Note: If you are going to be wrong - be wrong BIG. Then folks will be astounded at how correct your guess was after all.
I'll take a shot. ms64
Why so low?
It's a joke, Pete. Sorry you took it seriously.
66 no rub and lots of luster, TPG graders love buffalo luster.
Yea. I know he was joking. Don't know why I get so sensitive. Just try to call them like I (seem) to see them.
Pete
AU 58
Those dull gray areas look like rub.
My mind might change with different images.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Some interesting guesses for sure as my less than professional photos certainly don't make it easy, there is no rub full cartwheel luster. I bought this from an ebay seller that I have bought several coins from, his pics are not very good worse than mine if you can believe that but all the other coins I have really liked. NGC graded this as MS66+ and to be honest I'm on the fence about keeping this coin as my thought is MS65 is the correct grade. The obv is nice with a light lavender tone and strong luster even with the late die state, but the rev is where I have my concerns. Black Diamond just doesn't look struck well enough to me for the grade and lets the coin down imo; but as another pointed out TPG's love luster and this coin has that.
I may return this one which would be the first return in over two years, and knowing how the fees are not refunded I will try and work something out with the seller on that; decisions decisions.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and grade guesses.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
65
65-66
Not my series, but my first thought was 65. Since it's NGC plastic, I'm upgrading it to 66!
Here's another dilemma I have - the OP said 'what would you grade this buffalo'.....My grade and rationale was given above - but I also saw the NGC prongs, and KNEW their grade would likely be higher than mine....are we supposed to guess the TPG grade and be 'right', or give our grade opinion, and be 'wrong'? Just some additional thoughts on this already emotional topic LOL!
Do both
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
It seems to me that the pitfall of technical grading and registry sets vs. strike & appearance of a coin is that different people have different criteria in terms of desirability.
I knew it would happen.
I agree with @BuffaloIronTail, and @Insider2, I also see possible rub so a conservative interpretation of the photo + strict grading gives me AU58. IMHO a market grade is MS66.
In fact, I was not going to comment on this photo since I knew it would yield a wide range of responses. I also agree with @MFeld and at this point couldn't resist responding!
When I respond to GTG threads I always give the grade I see not what I think a TPG will give it, and I grade on a more technical basis not on a price basis.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
EASY! Do as I often do. Give your personal grade and then guess the grade on the label. It is very educational to give reasons for each choice - especially if they are different.
IMO, "technical grading" no longer exists except in some classroom settings.!! A person's PERSONAL GRADE may be thought of as THEIR idea of a technical grade but I have observed that most folks have a very incomplete understanding of that system. That's because (In spite of what was said/published), THE ANA NEVER GRADED COINS USING THE TECHNICAL GRADING SYSTEM. Although they thought/claimed they did, they actually bastardized true tech grading while turning it into a jumbled mess. The first TPGS (INSAB) is the only grading service to have employed true technical grading as it was devised in 1973 for internal records used SOLELY to identify coins along with their weight and a photographic negative.
PS I'll guarantee that coin has "stacking rub" the "OK" kind of surface luster impairment. Look at the dark spoy next to the tail.
65
Looks 64 to me. Great strike but the luster looks subdued.
Nice Buff😉
? I see neither a great strike nor subdued luster.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Good luster, no marks of any significance, no rub. 65 With a bit stronger strike, it would be higher.
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
im in the 65 camp.
This coin is about a look which I like. But just because I like it does not mean it translates into a grade that others will acknowledge or grade in the range that attracts attention. The Buff experts can correct me if my view is misplaced, but it just does not get to condition rarity status. Having said that, we should not loose sight of the coin in the holder.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Because I don't collect too many other series, I'll resort to searching the web usually to determine how complete the strike can be found for a particular date, it's availability without breaking the bank. But many collectors are content with coins that are only mark-free and lustrous. They care very little about the 3D/dimensional artistic appeal of a fully struck/detailed example and that's fine. And the coin grading companies will grade them. Collecting collector coins from a certain state/condition of the working dies is not for everyone.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
One thing that I often heard in the grading room, directed at me much of the time was there are four grades between MS-65 and MS-70.
I don't see "rub" from the images provided but what I do see is flatness in strike probably due to a late die state... I don't see a whole lot of contact marks... IMHO MS65...
caveat emptor! ;-)
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MS 65
Looks like an NGC holder so I'll say MS65 they do not like to give much higher grades on Buffaloes for some reason, even if it would be a MS66, they (NGC) would knock it for the slightest unseen reason!!
Looks about MS 63 to me. Too weak for 64. Definitely not a gem or MS 65.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
It sounds like you didn’t read the post which revealed the assigned grade. NGC grades plenty of buffalo nickels higher and doesn’t knock grades for “the slightest unseen reason”. I get the feeling that you were unhappy with some grades.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@coinbuf I was looking on my cell phone, earlier. Now, that I can see it on my PC; I don't see any rub...just even color and surfaces. Whether it is a 65 or a 66+....I have NO IDEA. I just think that it's a nice coin. Sorry that I low-balled you, initially.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/