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Full split Buffalo tail- What do you look for?

RoverRover Posts: 157
in U.S. Coin Forum
Am I looking at one here?

image

Dan

Comments

  • Cam40Cam40 Posts: 8,146 ✭
    hmmm,I,ve never heard of a `split-tail` Buffalo before.A new variety?
    Whats next,The five -legged Buffalo?image
  • RoverRover Posts: 157
    Not as a variety, rather a determination of the strength of the strike.

    Dan
  • BNEBNE Posts: 772 ✭
    Split-tail is not a variety, it refers to the quality of the strike. (There are five-legged buffs, too.) And, yes, the split of the tail is visible in the picture. I think it is a marginal split-tail, though. In better strikes, you can see the little recessed line within the end of the tail a little better.
    "The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."

    William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
  • RoverRover Posts: 157
    BNE,
    Thanks!

    Dan
  • ANACONDAANACONDA Posts: 4,692 ✭
    better......?

    image
  • agentjim007agentjim007 Posts: 6,256 ✭
    wow! that one is struck so well you can see the lump on his ass.
  • RoverRover Posts: 157
    John 9:25 (last sentence) image
  • tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭
    "I was blind, but now I see."
    Tom

  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,544 ✭✭✭
    I believe "full split tail" is an ACG designation.image

    Joe.
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,231 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe "full split tail" is an ACG designation.image Joe. >>

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  • LibertadLibertad Posts: 188 ✭
    I understand that the split tail definition is the product of the die state and striking pressures, and that they varied during the earlier strikes of the series and varied by branch as well.

    What year is the coin you pictured, Rover?

    Is the inconsistency in strike quality the reason that third-party certifiers (for the most part) don't use the 'split tail' as a grading standard for attribution? Just trying to figure out the part that the strike on this series plays in grading. I have real trouble determining grade vs. wear from the tail, and better luck ( I think ) from the hip prominence.

    I have seen a lot of variance from the horn compared to the tail, in terms of strike. Tail seems to me to reflect strike better. but I could have wandered off the path into the woods here.

    Looking for opinions AND knowledge!


    ..."for now we see as through a glass darkly"...
    Every day is a gift.
  • RoverRover Posts: 157
    1938-D
  • BNEBNE Posts: 772 ✭
    The '38-D will generally be a well-struck coin. It's those branch mints from the mid and late 20's that are really poorly struck. I agree that the tail separation sometimes is more distinct than the details on the head for those years. I hate a mushy head. I want to be able to smell the dust when I ruffle the curly hair on the Buffalo's head.

    EDITED TO ADD: A lot of Buff collectors don't care about strike, but I see no point in paying MS money when the reverse looks pretty much the same as a VF, when it comes to details.
    "The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."

    William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
  • RoverRover Posts: 157
    Here's the head on the same coin:

    image

    Dan
  • BNEBNE Posts: 772 ✭
    That is a nicely struck head. Another thing to look for is rounding on the horn, like in your picture: it should have a three-dimensionality to it.
    "The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."

    William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
  • Cam40Cam40 Posts: 8,146 ✭
    Thats interesting about looking at the tail as opposed to the horn for strike characteristics.
    I learned something cool.image
    Also,about that 5 legged variety..Is it doubling on the rear leg? Or is it a die-crack ?I may have heard of this one.
    Any pictures of this one out there?
  • BNEBNE Posts: 772 ✭
    Here's a 1930 with five legs (die doubling). Five-legged Buffalo
    "The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."

    William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
  • LibertadLibertad Posts: 188 ✭
    ttt
    Every day is a gift.
  • Cam40Cam40 Posts: 8,146 ✭
    Thanks.Good link.Heres another little known variety.Two-Feathered type.The lack of the little feather on the back of the Indians neck due to an over-polished die.Text
  • lincolnSencelincolnSence Posts: 407 ✭
    A second great thread in a day. These gems are rare, but worth waiting around for. Thanks to all who shared their knowledge and pictures.
  • richbeatrichbeat Posts: 2,288 ✭
    Split tail? Sounds painful! image (I echo lincolnSence's remark. Thanks.)

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