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Can someone explain Acid Date Buffalo Nickels

Would someone please explain about acid date Buffalo's, I have a 1916-P that i can barely tell that it's a 16/16 would acid dating cause this to show up better, I can't seem to get it to show up on a scan. any advice is appreciated.image

Comments

  • VeepVeep Posts: 1,423 ✭✭✭✭
    There's a product called Nik-A-Date that when applied to the date area of a nickel will indeed bring the date back so that it can be seen better. I've seen it bring back dates where no shadow of a date existed before. It will very likely help you to determine if you really have an overdate. The downside is that it will also very likely leave a stain on the date area which can be anything from a dark blotch to a highly reflective shiny silver color. The coin will sell at a large discount as a result. Still, if you can't tell what you have, there seems to be nothing to lose?????
    "Let me tell ya Bud, you can buy junk anytime!"
  • ToneloverTonelover Posts: 1,554
    You don't need to acid date the coin to see if it's a 1916 DDO. Look at the ends of the two feathers with a loupe. Even in low grade the doubling can still be seen there pretty clearly. Here's an acid dated 1916 DDO which has AG details but net graded to FR-2 because of the acid treatment. You can see the doubling on the inside of the upper feather even in this condition.

    image
  • PrethenPrethen Posts: 3,452 ✭✭✭
    There's got to be some other technique to try to discern a dateless buffalo. Maybe different type of lighting? Maybe shading a pencil on paper over the date area? Something other than ACID?!?!
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,654 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>There's got to be some other technique to try to discern a dateless buffalo. Maybe different type of lighting? Maybe shading a pencil on paper over the date area? Something other than ACID?!?! >>



    It's a wonder that acid works- - usually.

    Low grade coins (with a date) are always worth more than the same coin after treatment with acid.
    Tempus fugit.
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536
    If you can tell that it is a 16/16 without using the acid on it (because of the doubling on th feathers), even if the date is extremely weak and the doubling doesn't actually show on the date, it will still be worth a premium. If you treat it with the acid then to bring out the doubling at the date it will still b worth a premium, but only about 25% of what it would have been worth if you left it alone.

    The 1918 overdate is the same way. It is possible to identify a dateless piece as the overdate and ANACS will authenticate it. If you acid treat the coin it will be worth LESS than the dateless piece would have been.
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,536 ✭✭✭
    The 1918 overdate is the same way. It is possible to identify a dateless piece as the overdate and ANACS will authenticate it. If you acid treat the coin it will be worth LESS than the dateless piece would have been.

    I am not personally familiar any 1918 overdate being sold dateless. Do you have some $ amounts they have sold for?

    The last acid-date 1918 overdate I sold went for $550. I routinely see these 1918 acid-date coins advertised and selling from $400-$500.

    Joe.
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    So what are you going to do? Can you show us the feathers?
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • I haven't made any attempt to do anything to it yet, I am considering maybe a light soaking in soap and water, I can see the date and what appears to be a second date below it. both are 1916. as for the feather doubling, barely visible due to some crud or grime, I don't think a lite rinse would affect the value, and then see if i can get the pic's to post today.

    Thank's, for the help....image
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,536 ✭✭✭
    Acetone might be helpful and won't hurt the coin.

    Joe.
  • I am unable to purchase Acetone here in my area, Evidently nobody carrie's it because the Meth problem, I suppose that it must be part of the ingredients used to manufacture that cr@p.......
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,536 ✭✭✭
    Nail polish remover (acetone)

    Joe.
  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Look at the ribbon ties-they should be strongly doubled, too.
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    How's the cleaning/pics going? Anxious to know if this is the double date. I bet everyone who sees a worn 1916 is convinced it's the big one.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • Well, Here's the pics. See what you think?imageimage
  • I love acid dates cause there cheap image


  • << <i>Well, Here's the pics. See what you think?image >>



    put some acid on quick image
  • UncleJoeUncleJoe Posts: 2,536 ✭✭✭
    The pic is hard on the eyes for detail but I don't think it is a 16/16.

    There is no evidence of doubling on the feathers that I can tell from the pic. Sorry. (Hope I'm wrong)

    Joe.

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