Options
About Buffalo nickels
Lab
Posts: 28
I am interested in Buffalo Nickels...I just like them and would to buy a few. Should I get graded ones or non-graded? Where should I go on-line to purchase and get a fair shack.
0
Comments
Russ, NCNE
Since I'm already collecting I wait for either cheap low-grade lots or just pluck them from pocket change.
My TV Blog
Then do as Russ suggests -- see as many in hand as you can so you can tell the good ones from the not so good ones.
If you just want to buy a few, then buy them graded or from a trusted dealer. Do yourself a favor and stick to the cheap ones while you learn.
Have fun!...Mike
I have a few slabbed pieces- I think I have one or two PCGS MS65 common-date examples like 1937 and/or 1938-D, and I also think I have a PCGS MS63 1913 Type 1.
They might be just as much fun to collect in the raw circulated grades, with a Dansco or Whitman album.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
If you get serious about Buffs buy the Lange book. I have it. If you are attracted to coins in general, buffs in specific and have no books at all yet, then buy the Red Book.
You have gotten good advice to look at lots of coins. Go to all local coin shops to look. Go to any coin shows in your area.
1937-D Buffs come nice so if you were to buy certified then try look for differences between coins of the same date and grade. Which look better than the others? Yes, coins of the same date and grade will look different...
You can some nice coins for way under $100. Stay away from expensive raw/key dates till you get your feet wet in the series.
Enjoy
">"http://www.cashcrate.com/5663377"
Learn the wear areas, on the buffalo's hip especially. Go slow at first and stick to dates where you can afford a mistake--I personally wouldn't feel compelled to stick with slabbed buffaloes only; that would narrow the selection too much. And do take the time to read as others suggest.
Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
Welcome to the boards and I know you'll love collecting the Buff series. As allready stated buy The Complete Guide To Buffalo Nickels by David Lange you'll love it. Also I'd stick to the graded ones first until you get the grading part figured out, enjoy the hunt.
to put together in mint state.
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
One thing you must know about Buffalo's (and coins in general) is that there are many bad/problem coins out there. That is why people are advising you to buy graded/slabbed coins. The next problem is that not all slabbed coins are properly graded so "Buy the coin not the plastic". PCGS and NGC are by far the most trust worthy companies in my opinion.
The next question is do you want circulated or uncirculated coins. I started with circulated Buffalo's and now have an AU/BU set still in a Dansco album that I have owned since I was 13 (30 years and counting).
There is a lot to be learned by starting with inexpensive circulated coins and working your way up. When I was a kid I was advised to start with the highest grade that I could afford. At the time that was VF. In 1975 a VF 1926 S with a full horn was about $50 now it is about $450+.
The Red Book is a needed resource for circulated coins. Not only does it give you a good price reference but also a grading guide.
It really depends on how much time and money you want to put into this. A full set of coins graded VG-F (leaving out the over dates and the 3 leg) can be done for less than $500. A XF-AU set (also without the errors) is more than $5,000. An all BU set with the errors starts at about $100,000 (the 1916 Double die obv. is $50,000 alone if you could find one).
Buffalo's are probably the most collected coin. They are a true classic of American history. So enjoy.
Last thing, eBay is a great place to buy your coins BUT you have to be careful. There are MANY CROOKS out there!! Most of the Buffalo's are overgraded on eBay. NEVER take the sellers word for it. Look at the coin your self and compare what you see to the descriptions of the grades. It is not easy but that is a huge part of the fun of the hobby. If you are going to buy VF and better coins look for Full Horn pieces. Non Full Horn VF+ coins do not command the prices of Full Horn coins. The price guides show a big jump for most coins at the VF level. These prices are for Full Horn coins!!
Be prepared to enter the world of mystery. Some have travelled here. A lot have left. As you peruse this road you choose to travel, be prepared for a lot of sick Bison. Study them. Examine them. Some have no tails. Some are shiney and uncirculated, but were born with lumps on their heads instead of horns.
Some Bisons look like ghosts, with shadowy legs and smooth bodies. They scream to you: I have NO WEAR!!! Yet they float on the reverse of the coin like wax melting in the sun. Some of the invalids have only three legs. The saddest of them hobble on 3 1/2.
Now go to the obverse and look at the poor, sad Indian. He stares at the LIBERTY he fought for and lost. "Iron Tail" sometimes looks like his hair will come free from the knot that is supposed to be there, but looks like a square lump.
He also is plagued by moths that drove him crazy in his later life. Look and see how his neck is being eaten away.....and he almost NEVER puts his good feather headdress on. He seems to prefer the one with the incomplete, worn looking feathers. Sometime he puts on his "two feather" top. Reservation life took away his pride.
The Mint tried to help him by strengthening LIBERTY and the date in 1916, but still he fades into obscurity most of the time......his date gone......not knowing when he was born. In 1918, even the Mint didn't know...and put two different dates on him.
Iron tail sometimes does not know where he was born.....Denver or San Francisco. Some coins have both mintmarks on the back. At least He knows that he came from the West Coast.
I welcome you to this coin and series. Please stay. Don't get frustrated. Your rewards come from your finds....and when you see "Iron Tail" with his good clothes on and his Sunday go to POW WOW feathers....and when you see "Black Diamond" the bison in all his rugosity with that bushy head of hair and full horn and tail.......
You'll know why you stayed.
Pete
Pete