Question - Why was there a 1938D Buffalo minted?

FC57Coins

Was there an official reason given?

I got this one to go into my Jeff raw set as the last of the mohicans if you will - but I've always wondered why these were made, especially since there PD and S Jeffersons made in pretty substancial numbers?

lordmarcovan

The unused planchets were getting moldy in the refrigerator, so the Mint decided to use them up before the expiration date?

BNE

So folks could get a beautiful pristine example at a reasonable price to stick in a type set!

What's with the mintmark, Frank? Could it be an OMM?

tjkillian

There was a law requiring coins to be minted for a minimum of twenty-five years. 1938 was the 25th year.

Tom

FC57Coins

It might be a D/S - I'll have to look at it closer tomorrow.


Lord Minivan - cute!

FC57Coins

<< <i>There was a law requiring coins to be minted for a minimum of twenty-five years. 1938 was the 25th year. >>



This didn't seem to bother the folks at the mint too much when they replaced the SLQ with the Washington Quarter - granted that it seemed like it was more by osmosis in that case than anything else.

ziggy29

Because it gave type collectors a chance to get an MS-66 piece dirt cheap?

Gemini

Thats a very nice looking nickel and photo Frank...

MrEureka

Maybe the Denver Mint was embarrassed by the 37-D 3-Leg and wanted one last chance to produce a quality product?

FC57Coins

<< <i>Maybe the Denver Mint was embarrassed by the 37-D 3-Leg and wanted one last chance to produce a quality product? >>



OK Andy - time for your medication....

keets

hey Frank

the Mint knew early in 1938 that the design was going to be changed even though that wasn't finalized until sometime in April. coining of nickels by Denver only probably had something to do with production requirements, but the San Francisco dies that were already made were repunched with a "D" and gave us such fine examples as your coin!!!

al h.

XpipedreamR

<< <i>Maybe the Denver Mint was embarrassed by the 37-D 3-Leg and wanted one last chance to produce a quality product? >>





Does anyone know...was the 3-leg variety recognized at the time, and was it a big deal to collectors?

FC57Coins

<< <i>Does anyone know...was the 3-leg variety recognized at the time, and was it a big deal to collectors? >>



I've heard of stories at the time dealing with people finding 3 legged buffs in their change, so I guess it was noticed pretty early on.

oldcameoproofsguy

Frank,

Have a good look. That coin may be the mother of all RPMs, the D/D/D/S.

Nice pic!

Not only was there a 38D Buffalo minted but there was a whole **** load minted! AND it seems like everyone and their dog must have saved a roll or two of these coins.

Elcontador

Something like 7 million of them were minted, and from what I can gather, a large number of them were saved. Sort of like the 1883 No Cent Nickel, but with an exclamation point.

Frank, definitely check out the doubling (or whatever it is) re the mintmark. If it's a D over S variety, it could substantially increase the coin's value.

richbeat

Here's what Ed Reiter had to say about it, in the June 2004 COINage "Profiles In Coinage: The Jefferson Nickel," page 21:

"In addition to redoing Monticello, (Felix) Schlag was also called upon to soften Jefferson's jaw, which some felt was too lantern-like, and to modify his sans-serif lettering and make it more traditional."

"These changes took weeks, delaying the start of production until the fall. A need for five-cent pieces arose in the meantime, so the Denver Mint produced a modest run of 7.2 million Buffalo nickels--the last in that series and the only Buffalos made in that final year."

FC57Coins

Thanks Richbeat - that was the exact info I was looking for!