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What say you about this biggie spot on a proof buffalo nickel? slabbed one at that.

BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited October 13, 2020 5:02AM in U.S. Coin Forum

Here is a 1936 proof - 66 buffalo nickel with a . I have three questions.

Do you agree with the grade when there is a big ugly spot on the obverse of the coin?
Would this spot stop you from buying it assuming you were looking for a high grade example of this coin?
do you think the big spot was on the coin when it was graded?

Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
«1

Comments

  • ThreeCentSilverFLThreeCentSilverFL Posts: 1,688 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ugghhh... I don’t have many Buffs, but I am waiting for a nice proof. This one would be a pass.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,253 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Do you agree with the grade when there is a big ugly spot on the obverse of the coin?

    No. The 67 number is supposed to represent "superb gem."

    Would this spot stop you from buying it assuming you were looking for a high grade example of this coin?

    Absolutely.

    do you think the big spot was on the coin when it was graded?

    Probably. A spot like that is not likely to appear after the coin has been holdered, in my opinion.

    Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein

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

    Beautiful color but the spot ruins it. Not a 67 and I don't know how it got that grade if the spot was there when slabbed. Does it have a sticker?

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Would love to own a proof Buffalo Nickel some day. Certainly not Ol' Spot.
    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
  • DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like nose grease that was missed, then turned in the holder.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 12, 2020 7:17PM

    Ask the VP.

  • SIowhandSIowhand Posts: 346 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s a shame. Your eyes cannot look away from that spot.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 12, 2020 7:56PM

    The cancer spot ruins an otherwise beautiful piece. Pass. I'd value it closer to PF64 money.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @KSorbo said:
    How could it have turned in the holder? The spot was obviously there when the True View photo was taken.

    It could have been reholdered after it turned. AT artists including a well known eBay out fit have used this tactic to get gassed in the slab coins "legitimated." Apparently PCGS blindly reholders coins without having the coins reviewed for deterioration.

  • kiyotekiyote Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I mean if you’re just looking for registry points...

    "I'll split the atom! I am the fifth dimension! I am the eighth wonder of the world!" -Gef the talking mongoose.
  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Probably wouldn't even notice the spot in person.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @abcde12345 said:
    Probably wouldn't even notice the spot in person.

    Maybe not in the Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder Collection. How would you not see the spot?

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,466 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pretend it's a Solar eclipse! A lot of that goes on anyways, why treat it any different?

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,288 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd buy it at a sharply discounted price. :D

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @abcde12345 said:
    Probably wouldn't even notice the spot in person.

    Maybe not in the Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder Collection. How would you not see the spot?

    The spot covers less than 1% of the coin. I chose to enjoy looking and admiring the other 99%.
    Kind of how I also view life. Instead of dwelling on negative I view the positive.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,288 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @abcde12345 said:

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @abcde12345 said:
    Probably wouldn't even notice the spot in person.

    Maybe not in the Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder Collection. How would you not see the spot?

    The spot covers less than 1% of the coin. I chose to enjoy looking and admiring the other 99%.
    Kind of how I also view life. Instead of dwelling on negative I view the positive.

    That spot is black and is in a prime focal area. How can you not see it? I doubt if CAC would approve this coin for a sticker.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A friend of mine has a birthmark yet also a sparkling personality and her smile lights up a room. I see her wonderful attributes and don't even notice her birthmark.

    Same goes for this beautiful Indian nickel. I think of the heritage and history this nickel represents and suddenly any perceived imperfection becomes moot.

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Too bad about the spot. :'(

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

    (to koyneqwest) It does not have a caci sticker either.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,288 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BUFFNIXX said:
    (to koyneqwest) It does not have a caci sticker either.

    It wouldn't surprise me if a coin like this made the trip to CAC and JA didn't like the spot either.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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

    I just checked this coin to see if there was a caci sticker on the front and then I saw the slab itself, what does this tell you?
    Well it tells me that the big spot was there when submitted to pcgs and he/she requested that it be slabbed “reverse side
    up” which they usually do not do. Unless requested by the submitter. I guess it was thought that it would minimize the spot?

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The OP said it was 67.... Label says 66.... overall, a nice coin - though the spot does spoil it for me. I would not pay 66 money for it....Cheers, RickO

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

    @ricko said:
    The OP said it was 67.... Label says 66.... overall, a nice coin - though the spot does spoil it for me. I would not pay 66 money for it....Cheers, RickO

    Thanks for pointing out the error, I collected it.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • PhilLynottPhilLynott Posts: 890 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Slab reverse side up with a non see through back side of the slab and just admire the nice reverse.

  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 8,777 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd take it out and give it some artificial toning, with a blow torch. Couldn't hurt.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,686 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @KSorbo said:
    How could it have turned in the holder? The spot was obviously there when the True View photo was taken.

    @BUFFNIXX said:

    @ricko said:
    The OP said it was 67.... Label says 66.... overall, a nice coin - though the spot does spoil it for me. I would not pay 66 money for it....Cheers, RickO

    Thanks for pointing out the error, I collected it.

    What types of errors do you collect?😉

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 13, 2020 6:17AM

    A coin with only ONE spot should technically grade a 66. But the colors seem a little to vibrant to be real. My 36 Satin PR67.5 has colors more realistic for a Buff........

    I would have graded it .91 Questionable Color.

    OINK

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,686 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 13, 2020 7:11AM

    @OldIndianNutKase said:
    A coin with only ONE spot should technically grade a 66. But the colors seem a little to vibrant to be real. My 36 Satin PR67.5 has colors more realistic for a Buff........

    I would have graded it .91 Questionable Color.

    OINK

    How do you determine that a coin with one spot should “technically grade a 66”? Spot aside, shouldn’t other positive and negative factors make a difference? Shouldn’t the size and location of the spot matter, as well?

    The color looks natural to me. Business strike and Proof Buffalo nickels can and sometimes do tone in highly vibrant/wild/rainbow colors, naturally.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 13, 2020 6:53AM

    With the spot it is a definite no go for me irregardless of grade, etc. The spot needs to be removed.....otherwise get rid of it.

    Grade - Moot issue, I defer to TPG.

    Spot there when they graded it - I leave that to other posters to debate plus my focus is the here and now - moot issue as coin no go for me. Question Should be can spot be removed?

    Coins & Currency
  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,260 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like it, although the purple and neon green has me scratching my head.

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    the colors seem a little to vibrant to be real.

    wait for a reply or PM CHD and he will correct this error in your thinking. B)

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,288 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is it possible for one of the coin conservation experts at one of the major grading services to remove that ugly distracting spot without removing all the colorful toning?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld The color looks natural to me. Business strike and Proof Buffalo nickels can and sometimes do tone in highly vibrant/wild/rainbow colors, naturally.
    I just reviewed the top five Registry sets and found none with that vibrant coloration that looks like it is water colors applied to the coin. Most toned Proof Buffs tend to have toning that starts at the periphery of the coin and progresses to the middle. I also checked CoinFacts for 1936 Satin proofs and found none with the neon green and purple tones.

    The toning pattern on the OP coin reminds me of AT Lincoln and Indian proofs.

    OINK

  • Looks natural to me and while the spot holds the toning premium back from being too extravagant, wouldn't hesitate to pick this up. Beautiful looking coin

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,686 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OldIndianNutKase said:
    @MFeld The color looks natural to me. Business strike and Proof Buffalo nickels can and sometimes do tone in highly vibrant/wild/rainbow colors, naturally.
    I just reviewed the top five Registry sets and found none with that vibrant coloration that looks like it is water colors applied to the coin. Most toned Proof Buffs tend to have toning that starts at the periphery of the coin and progresses to the middle. I also checked CoinFacts for 1936 Satin proofs and found none with the neon green and purple tones.

    The toning pattern on the OP coin reminds me of AT Lincoln and Indian proofs.

    OINK

    You need not believe me nor agree that such toning is natural. But I’ve seen more than a few in-hand over the years, in both NGC and PCGS holders.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,176 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    The OP said it was 67.... Label says 66.... overall, a nice coin - though the spot does spoil it for me. I would not pay 66 money for it....Cheers, RickO

    I'd have guessed it was the tarnish that ruined it for you

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,025 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 13, 2020 10:28AM

    Yeah, this coin melanoma kills it for me, and I don't see how it's fixable. Such a shame, because the rest of it is really nice.

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

    Spot aside I think it's a really attractive coin with natural toning. I, too, have seen plenty with vivid toning. I even have a few.

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,661 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd net it down some points for the spot, but not take away all 66 points, that would seem unreasonable.. the coin is worth less, not worthless.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 8,777 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry, was that too harsh? I hadn't finished my coffee yet when I saw that monstrosity on that beautifully toned specimen.
    The color looks plausible to me unless it was somehow added but it blends into the dark browns around the edges.
    I couldn't imagine how you could artificially create the rainbow effect from the Feather to the forehead.

  • ShaunBC5ShaunBC5 Posts: 1,729 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would guess that in an auction setting the spot and toning might cancel eachother out and bring it normal 66 money. I wouldn't mind owning that coin at all.

  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are we not talking about the spot next to the designer's initial (F)?

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

    There was a certain fellow that used to tone nickels with some dangerous stuff...arsenic among them. Pretty sure the TPG's caught on....but not before he got many through the system. :s

    @OldIndianNutKase said:
    @MFeld The color looks natural to me. Business strike and Proof Buffalo nickels can and sometimes do tone in highly vibrant/wild/rainbow colors, naturally.
    I just reviewed the top five Registry sets and found none with that vibrant coloration that looks like it is water colors applied to the coin. Most toned Proof Buffs tend to have toning that starts at the periphery of the coin and progresses to the middle. I also checked CoinFacts for 1936 Satin proofs and found none with the neon green and purple tones.

    The toning pattern on the OP coin reminds me of AT Lincoln and Indian proofs.

    OINK

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,728 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Your eye goes to the spot first. The toning maybe natural but I do not like it.

  • FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,135 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 13, 2020 3:09PM

    edit to remove annoying Austin Powers Moley Gif. :)

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 3,998 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No, yes, yes.

    That's the spot to put a sticker over it.

  • Rooster1Rooster1 Posts: 381 ✭✭✭

    @messydesk said:

    Yeah, this coin melanoma kills it for me, and I don't see how it's fixable. Such a shame, because the rest of it is really nice.

    I may be seeing things, but it looks like a hole in the surface due to corrosion.

    Successful deals with:Ciccio-Nibanny, Wondercoin, Republicaninmass, Utahcoin, Abitofthisabitofthat, Doubleeagles59, Peaceman
  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would not be able to even look at a piece like that, never mind consider it for my collection.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set

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