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Having Trouble Grading Buffalo's? Buffalo Nickel Grading Set; Poor through MS65 (Small and Large P
poorguy
Posts: 4,317 ✭
I visited the coin show in the Tacoma dome today just to browse and got the itch to put together a grading set of buffalo nickels. I only had about 90 bucks on me and figured it would get the most fun for my buck. This would also be a great bonding experience with your children I know you are trying to get into coins. 
I imaged them to post them on the boards for a good reference and learning experience. I made good friends with a guy (forgot his name, sorry. I'm bad at that.
) but we rummaged through many of his buffalo nickels and came up with a good grading set.
Ron, don't worry. I'm still working on that barber dime grading set. I picked up some there but had problems finding a good array of conditions.
Ok, here it is. The pictures show the grade diagnostics fairly well. I shot them straight on the keep the luster as grading doesn't matter so much on color, but luster does.
I included small and large pictures. The large pictures are located below the small ones and may kill some dial-uppers. Hence, after the small ones load. The MS63-64 is because the guy I bought it from insists its an MS63 but I think it could slide either way.
Since all buffalo nickels come with varying degrees of softness in strike, I tried to keep to the dates that are generally better struck and around the same amount of general detail. I.E. Different issues, have different appearances regarding detail, luster, ect. I tried to use examples from a consistent set of issues regarding detail, luster, ect.
Before we get started with the grading set pictures. How about some analysis of the 1938 Overmintmark varieties. Here are close ups of the regular 'D', 'D over D' , and 'D over S' varieties. Pull out those 1938 D buffs and get to checkin if yours is just a little more special than the regular 'D' variety.
Regular 'D'
'D' Over 'D'
'D' Over 'S'
Now here is the grading set.
Poor
good
very good
fine
very fine
extra fine
au50
au55
au58
ms60
ms63-64
ms65
Now, here are the large images that show the detail.
Poor
Good
Very Good
Fine
Very Fine
Extra Fine
AU50
AU55
AU58
MS60
MS63-64
MS65
It was harder trying to get the luster and detail in the higher grades. If the pictures aren't completely accurate, I apologize.
Edited to add I picked these up today for the sole purpose of building a grading set and not being sold. They do no belong to Pinnacle, these are mine personally and will most likely go to my oldest son to get him involved in collecting. They are posted for the overall expansion of knowledge on these forums. (Geez, did I cover everything.)
I imaged them to post them on the boards for a good reference and learning experience. I made good friends with a guy (forgot his name, sorry. I'm bad at that.
) but we rummaged through many of his buffalo nickels and came up with a good grading set. Ron, don't worry. I'm still working on that barber dime grading set. I picked up some there but had problems finding a good array of conditions.
Ok, here it is. The pictures show the grade diagnostics fairly well. I shot them straight on the keep the luster as grading doesn't matter so much on color, but luster does.
I included small and large pictures. The large pictures are located below the small ones and may kill some dial-uppers. Hence, after the small ones load. The MS63-64 is because the guy I bought it from insists its an MS63 but I think it could slide either way.
Since all buffalo nickels come with varying degrees of softness in strike, I tried to keep to the dates that are generally better struck and around the same amount of general detail. I.E. Different issues, have different appearances regarding detail, luster, ect. I tried to use examples from a consistent set of issues regarding detail, luster, ect.
Before we get started with the grading set pictures. How about some analysis of the 1938 Overmintmark varieties. Here are close ups of the regular 'D', 'D over D' , and 'D over S' varieties. Pull out those 1938 D buffs and get to checkin if yours is just a little more special than the regular 'D' variety.
Regular 'D'
'D' Over 'D'
'D' Over 'S'
Now here is the grading set.
Poor
good
very good
fine
very fine
extra fine
au50
au55
au58
ms60
ms63-64
ms65
Now, here are the large images that show the detail.
Poor
Good
Very Good
Fine
Very Fine
Extra Fine
AU50
AU55
AU58
MS60
MS63-64
MS65
It was harder trying to get the luster and detail in the higher grades. If the pictures aren't completely accurate, I apologize.
Edited to add I picked these up today for the sole purpose of building a grading set and not being sold. They do no belong to Pinnacle, these are mine personally and will most likely go to my oldest son to get him involved in collecting. They are posted for the overall expansion of knowledge on these forums. (Geez, did I cover everything.
) Brandon Kelley - ANA - 972.746.9193 - http://www.bestofyesterdaycollectibles.com
0
Comments
Very well thought out and laid out.
Bookmarked!
peacockcoins
Wow, Poorguy!!
Nice Photos!! (and grading set)
-YN Currently Collecting & Researching Colonial World Coins, Especially Spanish Coins, With a Great Interest in WWII Militaria.
My Ebay!
Thank you for your efforts
Great Job Brandon!
I had thought about going down there but got caught up rearranging one of my Media Center PCs and hooking up to my 36" TV in the bedroom so I could have my 20" LCD back in my home/office now that I have completely moved houses.
Yes, I am still waiting for the barber dime set you are doing
Seriously, that is a great undertaking you have started and it is very educational! Great photography as well. I take it the new photography pieces you got last week are doing well?
Ron
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I only have 1-12 plus a VF and XF.
Not worth much of a grading set with only those
I couldn't find very many VF-AU barber dimes at the show. The only ones I found were keys and those typically aren't nice representative examples of the grade for the price shelled out. My next set will most likely be the finished barber dime set or a washington quarter set, maybe a nice morgan set or a merc dime set. We'll just have to wait and see.
Jeffs and Lincolns
I think that the first twelve barber dimes are fine but I do understand just wanting to do it all at once.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I'll save those for when I can get my son to dig through our pocketchange.
You also need to mention the strike problems with many dates, especially in the 20s. These coins can come with nice color and luster but only grade 63 or less due to strike. Example:
The obverse is easily a GEM but the reverse is mush. Grades NGC 63 "star"
jom
Excellent contribution.
Yes, the striking differences have a great impact on the grade. I tried to only include the moderate to good striking dates so that the detail wear is more obvious.
The problem I have with this series is that there is often a very poor
strike on MS coins. Sometimes its hard to tell if the flat areas are poor
strike or very light wear.
Please check out my eBay auctions!
My WLH Short Set Registry Collection
Thank You
SilverDollar
Gary
Don
Especially for beginners to see as a quick reference.
My complete Buff set including the 37-D 3-Leg (AU50) and 18-D 8 over 7 (PCGS G-6) has taken me all of 40 years to put together......and I'm always upgrading it!
Those 2 coins fit well into your grading parameters.
But watch out, New Collectors! Strike vs. wear in this series is, as has been said, a BIG factor in grading.
The subtle difference has driven collectors away from Buffs for years.
I love it as a challenge!
Nice work.
Pete
Effectively this grade isn't used except on key dates because very few coins
with this amount of wear will have a full date.