1925-D Buffalo - Latest Die State Ever?
Connecticoin
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I was browsing the random PCGS images and came across this beauty:
Holy crap, how much do you downgrade for that? Technically it is probably MS66!
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Comments
Holy Cow! What did it grade? I'd guess at least MS64.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
That is some serious die erosion. But if any coin were going to suffer from extreme die erosion, it would be a branch mint business strike from the 1920’s, like the coin above.
Not a coin that I would want.
I would actually love a coin like this, but wouldn't want to pay any sort of premium for it. In fact, while I would love it, I would likely only buy it if it were discounted.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Actually I would too, it tells a story about how much the Denver mint used and overused the dies - I suspect dies were in short supply that year, which is also reflected in the low mintage.
I found it in Coinfacts - cert # 44694596. Graded AU50 which surprises me - the coin looks mint state in the photo, despite the worn die.
The flatness in the hip area to the left of the tail gives it away. Strange how there is no discoloration in that area. That's what probably hides the wear.
The coin you show is an extreme case of overused dies along with a lighter striking pressure.
The Branch Mints didn't seem to care about quality in the mid-1920s. Denver may have run out of dies to complete a mintage could be one reason the coin looks that way.
But it's a little strange that both the obverse and reverse are overused at the same time.
It really isn't surprising (at least to me) that coins like this exist. I've seen more than a few turn up through the years.
Disappointing for sure.
Pete
Very heavily discounted.
Very soft strike most likely due to set pressure on press to save the die, wear on the hip as noted, Nickels from the 20's are hard to come by well struck for any year in that period.
AMEN.
Pete