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1926-S Buffalo Nickel - Counterfeit?
Connecticoin
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Saw this for sale on the web. My first impression is that it looks too well-struck to be a 26-S - looks more like a 26-P. Secondly, the mintmark looks to be the wrong shape, so likely added. But I am no counterfeit expert, so what say you?
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The '26-S occasionally comes with a decent strike. But there's something "off" about the one you show. Compare with a high quality image of a known genuine coin.
These are also seen with an embossed Mint mark so the edge of the coin adjacent to the Mint mark must be carefully examined, too.
here is a link to coinfacts with lots of nicely stuck 26s buffs.
op coin image linked for larger image
seems ok from that image/scan as it doesn't have the usual traits i see on counterfeits. just an opinion.
Can we see a close up pic of the edge near the mintmark? Mintmarks have been added to buffalo nickels using an embossing tool through a hole drilled into the edge to raise the mintmark. There's no seam around the mintmark to give away the alteration but the edge usually shows evidence of the hole being filled and smoothed over.
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
I compared with several 26-S images in Coinfacts. On almost all of them, even the well struck ones, the top of the "6" seems to "fuse" with the braid string, whereas on the 26-P, the "6" appears more distinct. Just my observation; like I said, I am no mega-expert on these.
No pics of the edge - I don't own it.
The photography looks "off", the coin looks legit.
peacockcoins
The obverse master die was reworked in 1926. The last digit of the date lies over the ribbon tie from this point to the end of the series. This is consistent with the coin you show.
If there is a return period allowed, the edge near the mintmark would be the first area that I would check with a quality high powered loupe with the coin in hand. Actually, based on what I've read so far, I'd just pass on this particular coin.
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
I can almost guarantee you that’s a fake. I’d bet my bottom dollar on it.
Here's a couple genuine 26-S mintmarks.
Your coin looks like the mintmark was embossed. It looks more like the mintmark from a 1909-S V.D.B. (it's more squared and compact)
Pete
I would agree, although this is not my series. It's either an added MM, because as Pete points out, that MM doesn't match any known examples from what I can tell, or a complete fake (something really looks off to me on the obverse lettering)
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I'm no expert on this but mid 1920s Buffs were weakly struck. The reverse appears to be unc. if the luster is there. Full horn, split tail, etc. While the obverse is weakly struck. Normally the two go together. The mint mark jumps out at you, which to me also doesn't look right. This is not an inexpensive coin. If it's not slabbed, there's a good reason for it. Pass.
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"Sou Mangueira......."
I agree with others about the mint mark... and the way the braid lays over the six also bothers me... could not see another quite like that in the link to coinfacts... Hard pass for me...Cheers, RickO
Agree, the date just seems to look too bold for a 1926-S.
I would rather see it in hand before commenting on whether it is authentic. Strike one... I have never seen a 1926-s as well struck as this; And for this date to have this look, selling it raw seems to be a mistake because it will generate the reaction seen on this thread. So the moral of the story is If it looks to good to be true... well... I'll stop there.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I don't like it. The mintmark shape looks off. Also, my eye keeps getting drawn to 'LIBERTY' on the obverse. The letters look too thin and too sharply defined to me, even more so than the Coinfacts images linked here. I think the whole coin is bad.
1926-S Buffs are not overly rare with a decent strike. Here's one from the Heritage Archives-
That's unreal. Must be the first strike off a new die.
The top feather is just WOW.
You made that coin didn't you, Ron?
Pete
It's a nice one alright, Pete. But I'm not the guilty party.
The obverse is an early die state (sharp definition of the letters in LIBERTY).
But the obverse is not really all that well struck - the central hair details are quite flat.
The reverse is a later die state - note die erosion lines between the Bison's hind legs.
The reverse appears to be pretty well struck, even in the central areas opposite the weak area of the obverse.
The mint mark style appears to be more like something such as a 1935-S.
So I wonder if the coin is a 1926-[P] obverse (planed off on the back) mated to some later year S-mint reverse ?
I have never seen anything approaching a full strike for this date/Mint. I did an extensive strike study for my book from 2001 thru 2013, observing over 250,000 coins. I used the last 100,000 coins for my study due to the improved imagery. Yes-the obv is a nice early die state. It's the rev that's almost always deficient on the date, probably from the use of previous year(s) rev dies.
Look at LIBERTY in the OP and the Heritage image. Look at the letters and the rim. Then look at the mint mark... Again and in this instance, I would rather not offer an opinion as to whether it is authentic without seeing the coin in hand.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
It could be a cup and a saucer, Dan. We can't know lest we see the edge. Same goes for the possible embossing.
Your summary of the coin is shot on.
We can suspect the coin, but probably would never know.
Pete
Additionally, the OP mintmark does not match any mintmark position for 1926-S. It's too high and touches (or almost) the E in FIVE.
I believe that only two reverse dies were used for 1926-S and they are both displayed in this thread. Ron's pic shows the MM slightly to the right and almost touching the C in CENTS.
The pics I provided show the MM centered with a space between the E in FIVE.
Neither position matches the OP MM pictured below:
Pete
If in doubt pass.
Purely anecdotal and without passing any evidentiary tests . .
Local guy here did a SUPERB 7070 with strictly counterfeits. His BEST . . . by far . . .was the 1926-S. Appeared MS64-5 . . . .completely original. It was an 'edge-embossed' that would fool anyone . . . .anyone . . . .except for the fact it was a Philly Strike . . .that had a mintmark . . . . .
Legendary coin . . . .
Drunner
So I wonder if the coin is a 1926-[P] obverse (planed off on the back) mated to some later year S-mint reverse ?
That would be the simplest method of manufacture I would think. No reeds to deal with. Soldered and flash plated?
"1926" is way too bold. I would pass on this one.
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
Speaking of “Embossed” for people who are not sure what that is. Here ya go....
What's an embossed mintmark? It's a mintmark that has pushed up from inside the coin - that's the embossing process. But how's something like this done? By drilling a tiny hole through the edge of the coin under the place where the mintmark will be situated on the coin. To emboss the mintmark, a device resembling needle-nosed pliers is used; on the inside of one jaw is the mintmark, and on the inside of the other is padding to prevent scratches and other damage on the surface receiving the embossed mintmark. With the mintmark-side of the pliers in the drilled-out hole, pressure is then applied on the pliers and the mintmark is embossed onto the coin from within. The access hole on the edge of the coin is then filled with a material such as lead and sanded or sculpted to resemble the surrounding authentic edge.
Buffalo. Reeds? Maybe I have misposted above????
Drunner
The Mint mark positioning will tell. If it isn't from one of the known dies it's fake or altered. Period.
Edge reeding, my friend.
Pete
Wow, embossed mm technique is wild and devious. Glad I stopped by to read this thread. Peace Roy
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love the info being provided here
never understood the embossing method
thanks to @crazyhounddog for providing it.
Kennedys are my quest...
I was thinking about the embossed mint marks we saw at ANACS, but there is no way to be sure without seeing the coin.
The buffalo in the OP is an embossed mint mark.
I purchased the item, and upon receiving it I didn't think much about it until I removed it from the cardboard flip. I immediately noticed the embossing after removing it from the flip, and did a quick google search about embossed mint marks so I can send something to the seller, and ran across this thread. The coin also weighs 4.8 grams. I have provided a close up of the entry point for those who are interested.
And there you have it. Thank you for sharing.
Learned alot today. Thank you!
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Buffs are notorious for embossing. The mintmark is close to the edge, and that makes it easier to perform the nefarious dirty deed.
If it's too good to believe, it probably is.
Pete
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well done and THANKS!
any pics of the MM?
Wow, the coin went for $1,700, cool to see someone on the forum picked it up. With the info you provided, I presume the seller honored the return, otherwise it will be a slam dunk win if an ebay dispute is needed.
Looked fake at last look. Glad you got it returned.