Buffalo Nickels

tsq

Given a slow night on TV, I was looking through my 1913 Buffalo Nickels. A motely crew, but treasured anyway. However, I noticed that if you turn them over the Type Is and Type IIs they do not rotate completely. That is, if you have the obverse looking as if it is completely horizontal, then flip, the reverse is slightly out of horizontal - perhaps 5 to 10 degrees. I looked in a couple of books, but found no reference and it seems odd that the stamping process wouldn't have been worked out to give completely symmetrical poses? I looked at some Shield nickels and they look symmetrical. Does this happen with later years and anyone know why?

Thanks

TS

airplanenut

It is simply a rotated die... some slabbing companies, depending on the severity, will label it as an error. You can still find them today, but I do think a lot of buffs had rotated die (someone correct me if I am wrong; but if I am right, praise me for the rest of eternity )

jhar

It's common for coins to have, "rotated Reverses", or "rotated Obverses." It just depends on your point of view. LOL!!!

But anyway, it's a common occourance. I'm not sure of the the exact degree of rotation to make the coins more valuable, i think it's about 90 % or more.

Anyone else??

Cam40

I think Dog97 mentioned this.There has to be more than ....30-40% or more `off`to be considered an error.
PM him on the issue.He,ll know.

Also...Welcome aboard.

Dog97

To be collectable for most models they need 90 degrees of rotation. The dies rotate because they work loose in the press from the constant pounding.

Cam40

Did I say 30-40%?.....I meant 90%....ya Thats it.Thats the ticket.