Question about prices on 1913d and S Buffalo's

moosesr

I have been looking at the population reports for the 1913D and 1913S type 2 Buffalo nickels and it looks to me like there shouldn't be that much difference in the prices on these coins in the grades up to MS63. Can someone explain why the 1913S type 2 is so much more expensive in all grades than the 1913D type 2?

Thanks, Charlie

coinguy1

Charlie, you raise an interesting question.

I did a quick study of the PCGS populations on each of those two issues and I don't think they justify the price differentials at all!

PCGS has certified 706 1913-D's and, if I did my math right, 335 of them are MS63 and lower. For the 1913-S's, the population is 899, with 599 of those being for MS63 and lower. So, we are left with MS63 and lower populations of 335 for the D-mint and 599 for the S-mint, but noticeably higher prices for the more common S-mint! Maybe someone else can explain it because I can't.

Placid

While survival and mintage are different the s mint has a much lower mintage and probably people speculate that the s is more rare based on that.

Woodwind

To add to what Placid has already stated, production was 4.156 million for the -D Ty 2 and 1.209 million for the -S Ty 2.

Also, from my observations, it seems to me that while key dates may survive in lower numbers, a much higher percentage are sent for grading/slabbing/authentication purposes, hence the higher number of -S Ty 2 graded by PCGS. I speak from personal experience as I had a circluated 1913-S Ty 2 graded and slabbed by PCGS, however, I don't think I would do the same with most other circulated Buffaloes.

Still, I am surprised that considering the values of the -D Ty 2 in the MS grades, more are not certified.

UncleJoe

The S is rarer in all grades.

What I think you are noticing is that it makes more financial sense to send the S in for grading than the D when you consider grading costs.

Joe.