Do you think this Buffalo is Uncirculated

Morgan13

I did some ready about Buffalo nickels. One take away I got was that the strike can be somewhat weak on them. I am not well versed in buffalo nickels. The image is kind of dark to capture colors. I hope the details show enough for opinions.

jmlanzaf

Yes

MFeld

Yes, but better lighting would help make the call.

Typekat

@MFeld

+1

it looks nice so far…

PerryHall

I don't see any wear in your pics so I think it's mint state. If I see it in-hand, I may change my mind.

jfriedm56

Yes. No wear, but a bit lightly struck. Nice Buffalo.

Morgan13

I will take better images today and edit this post and place them here.

291fifth

Probably mint state but not a coin I would be interested in because of the weak strike.

CRHer700

I would say yes, but not well struck for a 1937.

PeakRarities

From what I can tell it looks "new", but as others have mentioned better lighting would help me make a firm decision.

lunagately

Based on the pictures, definitely a Yes.

Vetter

I would say yes, but 1937 Philadelphia issue is such a common date there would be no reason to have it graded if that is what you were thinking. It would go well in a type album though.

BillJones

It appears to be Mint State, but the photo is a bit dark. Here is one that is in an MS-66 holder.

crazyhounddog

It looks uncirculated from the dark images.
The strike on the reverse looks great VS the obverse.

rmpsrpms

Making some minor edits to your images, I do see what I think is rub/wear on the high points on both sides. Here are the adjusted images:

cladking

I couldn't tell for certain without having it in hand but experience with photos suggests the darker colors on the high spots are caused by wear. Alternatively they would come off in alcohol.

Obviously I could be wrong. It can be very difficult to interpret photos.

BuffaloIronTail

This coin is the perfect example for why I don't like trying to grade from online photos.

The first photo shows an uncirculated coin.

The second shows flat spots of wear on Black Diamond's flank and tail. (and head).

The coin looks AU-55.

Pete

pursuitofliberty

What that @BuffaloIronTail guy said

First images looked possible for a Choice-ish Unc. Second images shows and Choice-ish AU.

ad4400

I agree on the flatness on the flank, even in first image. I think both images say AU.

Rexford

Unc in both photo edits.

jom

I first look at the Buff's rear end just to the left of the tail. I see possible rub but it's really hard to tell with a photo. You look for a "plateau" there. The left front leg is where you get the weak strike (among other places).

jom

Vetter

One of the hardest series to grade. Always has been, alway will. Especially off of a picture.

gumby1234

I'm in the 55 camp on this one.

BillJones

The second set of photos show “grey” areas on the Indian and flanks of the buffalo where the luster is broken. Therefore this piece is an AU. I would say AU-58.

hummingbird_coins

Is the first set of photos from an eBay listing? The lighting reminds me of one of those sellers that uses weird lighting to make their coins look better than they actually are.

markelman1125

Looks mint state to me 👍

Morgan13

I took the original image to try to capture the color which is amazing.
My photo equipment is stored right now as we are remodeling out home.
I can only take cell images right now

dcarr

It may have a little bit of oily haze over it.
Based on all the pictures, it could be anywhere from AU58 to MS62.

Elcontador

Look at the coin. If you see any luster breaks, it's a circulated coin. If not, it's an Unc. Luster breaks usually are on the coin's high points: hair on the buffalo's hear near the reverse rim, lack of detail on the tail. On the obverse, Lack of detail on the lower end of the braid and the braid itself can show luster breaks. Or not, if there are no luster breaks and the coin is weakly struck.

This can be a major problem when it comes to grading coins like Capped Bust Halves.

cladking

The new pictures make BU more plausible.

A soak in acetone might remove some of the funny coloration.

124Spider

I don't see it as uncirculated, but people here who know a lot more about coins than I do think it is. There's that.

But, either way, given that this is a very common date, why would you bother buying a poorly struck example (especially since it's easy enough to find well-struck copies of this issue)?

Morgan13

@124Spider said:
I don't see it as uncirculated, but people here who know a lot more about coins than I do think it is. There's that.

But, either way, given that this is a very common date, why would you bother buying a poorly struck example (especially since it's easy enough to find well-struck copies of this issue)?

It's not always a "buy" of a single coin. This coin cost me nothing. I purchased a group of coins and didn't even price it in the deal. I priced the Morgan's and all the other coins in the deal came with the Morgan's as quoted. Seller was very eager to accept my quote as I paid him 35% more than a few dealers offered at a local show. So it was a win win thing.
I hope this gives you a better understanding about why I didn't buy a higher quality coin.
I like it alot. It's got great color and I will keep it raw.

Maywood

To me it looks AU. Looking at an online photograph isn't easy to judge. Since you have the coin in-hand, rotate it under good lighting and you should be able to discern any luster breaks on the high points of the design, areas like the Indian's forehead and hair braid, the Buffalo's shoulder and hip. If the luster is full over the entire coin, Unc, if their are clear luster breaks, AU.

Morgan13

@Maywood said:
To me it looks AU. Looking at an online photograph isn't easy to judge. Since you have the coin in-hand, rotate it under good lighting and you should be able to discern any luster breaks on the high points of the design, areas like the Indian's forehead and hair braid, the Buffalo's shoulder and hip. If the luster is full over the entire coin, Unc, if their are clear luster breaks, AU.

I will take your advice and do just as you described.
I will post the results.

124Spider

@Morgan13 said:

@124Spider said:
I don't see it as uncirculated, but people here who know a lot more about coins than I do think it is. There's that.

But, either way, given that this is a very common date, why would you bother buying a poorly struck example (especially since it's easy enough to find well-struck copies of this issue)?

It's not always a "buy" of a single coin. This coin cost me nothing. I purchased a group of coins and didn't even price it in the deal. I priced the Morgan's and all the other coins in the deal came with the Morgan's as quoted. Seller was very eager to accept my quote as I paid him 35% more than a few dealers offered at a local show. So it was a win win thing.
I hope this gives you a better understanding about why I didn't buy a higher quality coin.
I like it alot. It's got great color and I will keep it raw.

Makes sense to me; thanks for the explanation!

Martin

I’m in the AU camp
Martin

Morgan13

It's really an odd coin. When I move it around under light it has a full silk film. However when I take images which I know aren't good I can see what you guys are talking about.
I'm going to say it's AU myself.
It does have really nice pearlescent color which is what I like about it. Maybe it's an ms60.

mr1931S

About uncirculated. 1930's common date Buffs trade for $10-$11 retail in about uncirculated condition.

MFeld

Even in-hand, it can be difficult to grade a coin accurately.
We’ve now seen three different sets of images, each of which looks markedly different from the others. As a result, we have no idea what the coin really looks like. That makes it somewhat difficult to grade.😉

mr1931S

Even if, by some miracle, this nickel were to be deemed uncirculated by the experts at a TPG, it's a $20 coin, a $20 coin that would garner little to no interest for purchase at that price by knowledgeable collectors. I've found Buffalo nickels at the coin shop for $.50 apiece that look as good as or better than this one.

Morgan13

It's not about the value of the coin. It's about learning to grade. What to watch out for. It's just a simple exercise. Don't really care what it's worth.

MFeld

@Morgan13 said:
It's not about the value of the coin. It's about learning to grade. What to watch out for. It's just a simple exercise. Don't really care what it's worth.

But due to the various pictures that look so different. It’s far from “just a simple exercise”. It’s more of a futile one.

jesbroken

I feel it to be an AU coin.
Jim