Two Really Nice, Toned 1938-D Buffalos... and the Important Lesson they (and Mr. Feld) Taught Me
airplanenut
Posts: 22,248 ✭✭✭✭✭
Not long ago I pulled a few coins that have been in my collection for a long time, but I've either never shared on the boards, or if I have, my photos are old and it shows. Now with new photos, you'll see them in the near future. I posted this pair not that long ago in another thread, but now that I have much better photos, I think they're worthy of their own thread.
To set the scene, it was August, 2005, at the Baltimore show. I was heading off to start college a few weeks later. I picked up a pretty amazing toned1938-D buffalo nickel and proudly showed it off to @MFeld. He wasn't impressed. Honest as always, he pointed out multiple aspects of the coin that he didn't like. He wasn't wrong about any of them. I was excited to buy a coin, and that impulsivity clouded my judgment in really assessing the coin. Now, while Mark could just be a sadist, I think everyone who knows him will agree that he's a really good, insightful teacher. He knew I could do better and took the time to explain how. He also went one step further.
At some point during the show, Mark had come across two 1938-D buffalo nickels, both dripping with lustre and very attractively toned. Neither is particularly unique for the 38-D, but nevertheless, this was a really attractive pair of coins. He took me over to the dealer who had them, and while they'd already been sold and held for another dealer, showed them to me and pointed out why they were better than the coin I'd bought. Through some magic I don't quite remember, he also arranged for the two coins to be sold to me, meaning the dealer who bought them never actually took possession of the coins--he just made a profit for having plucked the coins out of a box and having the original dealer put them aside.
Of course it's worth noting that I don't remember the coin I originally picked out at all. It's long gone, while I've owned these two for 16 1/2 years and counting. Neither coin is an incredible monster, but both are really nice examples of what I consider one of the best designs in US coinage. And as much as I like them as nice examples, they're also a reminder of that day at the Baltimore show in 2005 when I became a much more discerning buyer. I'm still not perfect (and Mark still tells me when I'm wrong--or why I shouldn't buy something before I do), but I'm a lot better than I was, and my collection's benefitted greatly from that.
Both coins are graded PCGS MS66
Comments
Neat story, Jeremy. Are you able to elaborate on the faults you were led to see in the original, long-departed coin? Do you remember what was wrong with it?
Thank you for that, Jeremey!
I have some issues with those two coins, but will keep them to myself, as I don’t want you to think I’m a sadist.😉
As you and some other forum members know, I greatly enjoy teaching and helping collectors. Doing so is all the more enjoyable and rewarding when the collector really wants to learn, is open minded, patient, doesn’t take suggestions or criticisms personally and is enthusiastic. In your case, I’ve seen immense growth in your knowledge, I’ve seen you providing sound advice and helping/teaching others and I’ve always been proud of you for the way you conduct yourself.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
There's one coin that I think might be the one in question, and if I'm right, the toning dulled out the lustre and the color was kind of hodgepodge of a few splotchy colors which, while colorful, just weren't that great. Now, I could be wrong and it could be a different coin entirely, but that is a coin I know I once had for some amount of time. In short, I think I looked at the generic details--slabbed with a grade and "toned" and didn't give enough thought to the coin as a whole and honestly assessing the eye appeal.
Anything you don't like about those coins you have only yourself to blame.
Both are gorgeous Buffaloes, but the carbon spots would have stopped me from buying #2, along with yellow spot below the chief's neck. There are so, so many beautiful 38 D's to pick from.
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
Kindness, honesty, knowledge all wrapped up in a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing. Peace Roy
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Neat thread.
The OPs photography, as good as it has always been, seems to be even nearer to perfection now.
I too think the lavender/blue toning over lustrous surfaces make for the finest looking 1938-D Buffalo nickels.
peacockcoins
Nice.👍🏼
Hoard the keys.
I don't disagree, though these spots are much less noticeable in hand where the coin is a wee bit smaller than on the screen. My budget today could certainly allow for a nicer example where back then my funds were significantly more limited (and while it's not top on my list, I always stop when a pretty buffalo comes up, since it's one of those types I like so much that I have no problem owning more than one), but I do think it's worth considering the overall tradeoffs at different price levels, since until you can afford to buy the very best of the best, there may always be something that isn't ideal. The biggest lesson was the the original coin I bought just wasn't close to the best I could get... these were much closer. All that said, these are coins I highly doubt I'll part with. Even if I upgrade them, I still like them for what they are, and between what they represent and their modest value, I can't see a reason to part with them. If they could make a significant dent in the cost of an upgrade or something else altogether that's one thing, but I doubt they'll ever be worth enough to someone else to justify my selling them.
So I found a picture of the coin I'm thinking of. The dates don't align for this to be the coin in question, though I didn't own this one long before I sold it. Bear in mind these photos were taken in early 2006.
I like it!
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
As a fun comparison, I found the original photos I took when I bought the coins in Baltimore. They would have been shot with my first digital camera purchased in 2003, and I'm now on my third DSLR, all of which followed that original camera. I think the new photos are better. These were taken in August 2005.
Nice!
nice coins, I like your third ....
did those black spots grow in the last 15 years?
I don’t think so… I think the photo resolution and lighting are just a lot better
You've come a long ways with your photography, Jeremy. I love Buffaloes also. In fact I have had 3 complete albums of them and hundreds of spares. Nothing more beautiful than a well struck lustrous Buffalo Nickel. 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
Nice!
U.S. Type Set
Nice story and nice coins!
Still better than about 99% of ebay photos today!
Bold added to make the point
Collector, occasional seller
Nicer color and luster, but too many carbon spots, especially #2
You should make a coffee-table book of your Buffalo photos, they're that nice.
Good story Jeremy... and, over the years, I have learned a great deal from @MFeld.... A great source of information and a patient teacher. Cheers, RickO
Thank you @privatecoin and @MFeld for a great post.
It is always nice to hear about the stories behind the purchase of such nice coins.
I really like the 2nd buffalo. It is as I would say, a full streamer.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
I only have a few, so maybe a set of coasters or a placemat
I have a Mark Feld story I'll share.
the only time I met Mark was down at the F.U.N. Show around 2002-2003, I believe he was still working for Pinnacle Rarities. we bumped into each other in the bourse aisle and I jokingly chided him about being the hardest working man in Orlando, he literally had sweat beading on his forehead!! I believe he was really grateful to see me, not so much so he could stop for a moment to shake my hand, but to catch his breath and mop his brow, apparently on his way to consummate a deal or two.
sometime later in the day I bumped into him again and asked him if he could do me a favor. he stopped, looked me in the eyes and said "I'm not gonna buy a coin for you!" which told me some of you other guys had been wearing Mark out. I assured him that wasn't what I wanted, he heaved a deep sigh and we talked for a moment. I think I just wanted him to look at something I had bought and after a minute or two he was on his way. I remember stopping by the Pinnacle table and guess what, Mark was nowhere in sight.
there have been a few other times where I sought Mark's opinion and he was always willing to honestly share it. he really has the passion it takes to make it in this Hobby, it's a rare commodity.
Party On, Mark!!!
Can confirm... my parents recently unearthed some of my random stuff, which includes a 2003 Pinnacle invoice for a coin he got for me. My first purchase from him, in fact!
He may have been working hard, or it may have just been above 50F on the bourse
Thanks for the thread, Jeremy; for a number of reasons.
The 38 D Buff is an inexpensive type coin which is affordable in high grades.
I bought a number of coins from Mark over the years, and also give him a thumbs up for his candor and interest of educating the coin collector.
It also reminds me of a another numismatic discussion I had. It must have been in the late 1990s, and at Long Beach, I was looking for Liberty Nickels in MS 66. John Danreuther was behind the table, and spent a good ten minutes explaining to me differences in the strikes of various years of the series, and differences I could expect to see, like between the 1888 and 1889 in this grade, for example. I was incredibly appreciative and blown away that he would take the time to explain this to me.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Before I party on, keets...
1) As Jeremy subsequently indicated, I was still working for Pinnacle Rarities during that time period, though remotely from San Diego.
2) It takes very little for me to sweat, even when I'm not working - temperatures in the 70's and higher usually do the job. The perfect temperature range for me is in the upper 50's to low 60's.
3) I don't think I would have said "gonna", in place of "going to".
4) While I can't remember our conversation, my guess is that I was joking in saying I wouldn't buy a coin from you. That is, unless you had previously showed me nothing but pocket change or parking lot finds.
Thank you very much for the fun read and the kind words.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.