1918/7-D Buffalo - Updated w/ Photos. Grade?
deansmint
Posts: 177
Curious as to what you all feel as to the grading of Buffalos in VF or higher without a full horn. Just purchased a 1918/7-D with only a 3/4 horn but looks to be a solid EF in all other respects. My understanding is that these werent weakly struck but a quick search of heritage shows several coins in high grade VF and even a few in EF-40 with no tip to the horn. Kind of anti-climactic without photos but they are on my computer at the office, will post in the morning and let you grade it out. Heres a link to a PCGS EF-40 that sold at B&M.
1918/7-D PCGS EF-40
and a VF-35
1918/7-D PCGS VF-35
Are these examples considered 'Market Graded', all the grading books state a full horn is necesary for an EF, thanks in advance for the responses.
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Here are the photos of my new purchase, please note that these are from my flatbed scanner as I have yet to master the art of coin photography. Please let me know what you feel this coin grades. All opinions are very much appreciated.
(I dont have anywhere to store these photos, please feel free to post them.)
1918/7-D PCGS EF-40
and a VF-35
1918/7-D PCGS VF-35
Are these examples considered 'Market Graded', all the grading books state a full horn is necesary for an EF, thanks in advance for the responses.
-
Here are the photos of my new purchase, please note that these are from my flatbed scanner as I have yet to master the art of coin photography. Please let me know what you feel this coin grades. All opinions are very much appreciated.
(I dont have anywhere to store these photos, please feel free to post them.)
0
Comments
So, traditionalists complain and lower the grade.
Those that take in the whole coin grade it higher if the rest of the coin merits such.
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
My XF45 example shows the tip of the horn, but it's the exception and not the rule.
Hoot
Hoot
It's difficult to say how many 18/7 pieces were struck. They were not discovered until well after they had entered circulation, thus there are few survivors. I've heard total extant estimates of 1000 to 1200 coins in all grades, and perhaps around 200 in grades of XF and above. Again, most were circulated heavily. I have known of a number of restored-date pieces. Even these bring a premium, going for 500-600 dollars. I'd imagine that there are still a few more to be found among "dateless" buffalo nickels.
Hoot
Cartwheel
Cartwheel's Showcase Coins
<< <i>Apropos nothing; I once saw a Hobo nickel carved on an 18/7! Cartwheel >>
That's gotta sting, but at least you know it was not a modern hobo!
Going strictly by every grading guideline I've seen (ANA, photograde, Lange, etc.), it's obvious grading has been "dumbed down" by one full grade. "A full horn locks the grade" is mantra I've heard repated often. News that they have recently toughened this is a little spooky; I'm gonna get my Buffs submitted quickly before this really takes hold! I have a 26-S with a super-strong horn that is weak in other areas, and now I'm concerned.
I would add that TPGs arbitrarily going all over the map with grading standards is a very terrible, irresponsible thing that merits an explanation. If they want to be regarded as a grading "authority," then they must do better than cavalierly shrug off the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars a collector may lose by investing in their standard, only to see them change it with a wave of their hand.
Does anyone have any recently slabbed Buffs that would demonstrate the toughening Hoot and Bochiman indicate?
Guy
Look at any price guide for Buffalo Nickels and you will see consistent large increases from the grade of Fine to Very fine. This is because Very Fine meant full horn and nothing less. The problem with saying that Very Fine no longer needs a full horn is that the pricing is not being adjusted accordingly. Very Fines with full horns are rare and justified the large increases from Fine to Very Fine. “Very Fines” without a full horn are not rare and do not justify the large price increases.
Joe.