What’s going on with Buffalo Nickels?

Vetter · August 22, 2021 9:56AM

Checking the PCGS price guide and Buffalo Nickels are jumping in value. A ton of green arrows. Other series are jumping a bit and some not at all, but it looks like the whole date run is going up in the Buffalo nickels. Anyone have any thoughts on why this is? Also where do they get the information for any increase or decrease in prices?
Let the stampede keep going!

Smudge · August 22, 2021 10:13AM

Great news unless you are looking to purchase some or add to your collection.

Jzyskowski1 · August 22, 2021 10:22AM

@Smudge said:
Great news unless you are looking to purchase some or add to your collection.

I just got these from Walmart 🥸. Their price is still the same. I post this as a newbie humor (me) and a smile 😃. I am new to Buffalos but watching prices they seem to be moving up. Thanks 🤓

Their listed in”silver coins all departments. “🥸

koynekwest · August 22, 2021 11:30AM

The series as a whole has been pretty stagnant and even showing declines for a while now. Maybe they've finally started to move upward a little bit.

Jzyskowski1 · August 22, 2021 2:44PM

As I look at this as my next direction in collecting. It seems like clear full date and mm. is the beginning point and I’m thinking about starting with an album and after I get more knowledgeable maybe a slab date run. Thanks 🤓🙀

HalfDimeDude · August 22, 2021 4:13PM

Ron
I believe that the 5 cent piece has been on a steady down fall also. From 1866 to present I do believe that the Buffalo is true Americana ...I believe thats why the buffalo will out preform other nickel series. If one looks in the back od the red book at record auctions the 5 cent piece is in the top 10 auctions how many times?
As far as the series going up great....time to re reevaluate the collection and take advantage.

crazyhounddog · August 22, 2021 4:24PM

I’ve always loved the series . It is wildly popular and also says America all over it. The design fills the planchet completely and I personally believe one of the most beautiful coins ever struck at our mint. No nickel’s design has ever exceeded the beauty of the mighty buffalo nickel.

koynekwest · August 22, 2021 4:29PM

I agree with you, Joe. As you know, I'm a "Buffalo buff" too.

crazyhounddog · August 22, 2021 5:19PM

@koynekwest said:
I agree with you, Joe. As you know, I'm a "Buffalo buff" too.

Of course I know you love the series, Ron. You and I are on the same page when it come to these beautiful nickels buddy😉

koynekwest · August 22, 2021 5:26PM

That we are.

BUFFNIXX · August 22, 2021 7:30PM

@koynekwest said:
That we are.

DITTO!

ricko · August 23, 2021 9:15AM

Truly a great American coin design.... Glad to hear the series is getting more attention. I have a few slabbed Buffs, and a great deal of raw ones accumulated over the years. Cheers, RickO

BuffaloIronTail · August 23, 2021 10:03AM

@koynekwest said:
The series as a whole has been pretty stagnant and even showing declines for a while now. Maybe they've finally started to move upward a little bit.

Yep. I've been watching the decline for quite a while now. I always used 1918/7-D and the PCGS price guide for my info. A G-4 Overdate was $1000.00 in 2019.

It's $750.00 (up $50.00) today.

There was a time when a G-6 went for $1250.00. I estimate the current price at around $1000.00 or so.

Buffs have been stung by the volatility in the Gold/Silver market with the emphasis focusing on precious metals, shoving nickel prices downward as a result.

I ain't in it for the money. Never really was.

My only concern is leaving a respectable amount for my family, (not that I'm going anywhere real soon).

I can't help but love the coin and the design. It hearkens back to my youth when the American Bison began to disappear, And it started to register in my head that I probably would have been just as savage if someone tried to take my land.

OH well..........enough ranting for now.

Pete

WAYNEAS · August 23, 2021 12:55PM

That '13 has an amazing color to it.
To me it accents the coin's designs.
Wayne

HalfDimeDude · August 23, 2021 1:11PM

Yes hard to believe but sold this yesterday for 3x's what i paid .....hard to let go but theres more out there.

amwldcoin · August 23, 2021 1:24PM

The mighty buffaloes are coming back. I took these pictures in Montana last month.

@BuffaloIronTail said:

@koynekwest said:

I can't help but love the coin and the design. It hearkens back to my youth when the American Bison began to disappear, And it started to register in my head that I probably would have been just as savage if someone tried to take my land.

OH well..........enough ranting for now.

Pete

ChrisH821 · August 23, 2021 1:32PM

@HalfDimeDude that 1919 looks very nice! Unfortunately I didn't see it when it was for sale :-/

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 1:41PM

@amwldcoin said:
The mighty buffaloes are coming back. I took these pictures in Montana last month.

@BuffaloIronTail said:

@koynekwest said:

I can't help but love the coin and the design. It hearkens back to my youth when the American Bison began to disappear, And it started to register in my head that I probably would have been just as savage if someone tried to take my land.

OH well..........enough ranting for now.

Pete

Quite impressive!

HalfDimeDude · August 23, 2021 1:46PM

@ChrisH821 said:
@HalfDimeDude that 1919 looks very nice! Unfortunately I didn't see it when it was for sale :-/

I sold it to a friend a private sale. It is a nice coin..... and was purchased along with a lot of Buffalos from the Texas government from an old safety deposit box that no one claimed.
I got it, an 1918 p ,1918 D ,1919 p and the 19 s.

yosclimber · August 23, 2021 1:52PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNvTHOrTf_Y
Buffalo are cool with a telephoto, but don't get too close for a selfie!

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 1:53PM

Technically they are Bison

HalfDimeDude · August 23, 2021 1:56PM

@gumby1234 said:
Technically they are Bison. And very tasty if cooked right.... as a meat cutter we did sell buffalo at the store as another alternative to fatter meats. I have like customers who had bypass surgery wanting buffalo as well beef hearts. Low in fat.

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 1:57PM

Never tried one. I have had Alligator bites thou. Tastes like chicken lol

TwoSides2aCoin · August 23, 2021 1:58PM

Ever since an expert refuted my 1914/3 in MS62, I lost a lot for the series and the experts

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 2:02PM

@TwoSides2aCoin I think the whole lot of so called 1914/3 buffalos were denounced

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 2:03PM

@TwoSides2aCoin said:
Ever since an expert refuted my 1914/3 in MS62, I lost a lot for the series and the experts

How long ago was that? Do you have an image of the coin? Remember-at the present time only the first two dies are attributable. You can PM me if you want to.

TwoSides2aCoin · August 23, 2021 2:04PM

But even still.... refute away.

amwldcoin · August 23, 2021 2:05PM

That VF25 18/7 looks like a 35 to me!

@TwoSides2aCoin said:

But even still.... refute away.

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 2:06PM

@gumby1234 said:
@TwoSides2aCoin I think the whole lot of so called 1914/3 buffalos were denounced

Most if not all of the weaker dies were de-listed, and rightfully so. There are three good dies out of 11. An example of Die #1 and #2 are attributed by PCGS if they are earlier die states and show a clear crossbar of the "3."

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 2:07PM

@koynekwest good to know I thought they all got de-listed

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 2:10PM

Here is a good example of Die #1-

And here are some overlays done by James Wiles-

I'd say they match up pretty well.

TwoSides2aCoin · August 23, 2021 2:45PM

This was mine in an NGC 62. PCGS wouldn't cross. Sold at a loss.

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 3:03PM

That doesn't look like Die #1, 2, or 3.

Sorry about your loss. I'd be unhappy, too.

There are three good dies for the variety-

Here's #1-

2-

3-

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 4:39PM

3 looks like it would be the better one to own of the group

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 4:48PM

whoa why did it get all large and bold?

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 4:50PM

I was just looking online and theres an eBay listed 1914/3 buff and I cant even see the date of 1914 never mind a 3 under it?? They want $175 buy it now LOL I pass

ChrisH821 · August 23, 2021 4:51PM

@gumby1234 said:
whoa why did it get all large and bold?

Because you put a # sign as the first character in the line. That makes it a heading.

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 4:52PM

This is one of the sellers pics

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 4:54PM

@ChrisH821 Ewps it was purely accidentally, but looks like I am screaming at people LOL

EDIT - I get it now I was trying to say #3

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 5:08PM

@gumby1234 said:

This is one of the sellers pics

That's a joke. And that's one of the reasons many people don't believe in its existence. Too many are and did take advantage of the situation by trying to get big bucks out of one of these minor, barely visible dies. I personally wouldn't pay a premium for any die other than the three I listed.

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 5:10PM

How can this seller determine that it's an overdate? Do you have a link to the listing? Even the best dies can very difficult to attribute in any grade under a good, strong Fine.

jesbroken · August 23, 2021 5:20PM

Thanks, Ron, for the info and photos.
Jim

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 5:23PM

I don't know how to link stuff but heres what to look for
1914/3 Buffalo Nickel Cherrypickers FS-101 5KE1

Vetter · August 23, 2021 5:26PM

Back in 1997 I was the 1st person to auction a 1914/3. Teletrade auction (remember them?)

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 5:27PM

@jesbroken said:
Thanks, Ron, for the info and photos.
Jim

Thanks, Jim!

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 5:32PM

@koynekwest Have you found it?

GRANDAM · August 23, 2021 5:46PM

did you put a # in front of it?

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 5:47PM

@gumby1234 said:
I don't know how to link stuff but heres what to look for
1914/3 Buffalo Nickel Cherrypickers FS-101 5KE1

There are 16 listings on ebay for "1914/3" Buffalo nickels. None are legitimate as far as I'm concerned. The seller you cite has about half of those listings, all of coins with barely readable dates and just waiting for some sucker to bite. This isn't the most obvious overdate to begin with, and on a coin graded that low (AG at best) it would be impossible to discern. It's listings like this that had a part in destroying the legitimacy of the variety in many people's eyes. If you get a coin from one of the dies I listed in a decent die state and in a good strong Fine or better it can be easily seen.

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 5:47PM

@GRANDAM Yes because I was trying to say #3. I am new to a lot of this new fangled stuff. I cant even post a link to eBay LOL

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 5:50PM

I stay away from eBay. I have never bought or sold anything there. Seems to be quite a few shady sellers there thou.

koynekwest · August 23, 2021 5:52PM

Yes, Vetter-I remember Teletrade.

Here's the "Coin World" article first announcing its discovery-

Notice the effacement lines above the "4" in the date. These are seen on most of the 11 dies known.

What’s going on with Buffalo Nickels?

Comments

3 looks like it would be the better one to own of the group

Leave a Comment