1936D 3 1/2 Leg Buffalo Nickel Question...

buffnut

Can anyone speculate as to the apparent rarity of this particular variety? They seem to be ultra difficult to find and when you do find them, they are going at moon prices. I was fortunate enough to get one recently off fleabay for a decent price (it's at PCGS getting slabbed as we speak, will post pictures when it gets home ). Other than a few offerings a year, they seem to be non-existant. Looking at the buffalo with varieties registry, there are currently only two sets in the top 20 that have this spot filled!

Leiana

Hmm. I know it's certainly not as popular as the 37D, but I never speculated on how rare it might be.

Interesting thoughts.

-Amanda

RichieURich

There are darn few 1936-D 3 1/2 leg Buffaloes. The CPG 4th Ed. Vol. 1 states 33 - 64 known, and that seems about right to me. It seems that most are VF to EF and so they go for moon money, being higher grade. I was lucky to buy a VG-10 before they got too crazy pricewise.

ar18

my buddy has a VF-20, I thought I found one(not a buff collector) but he said the hind leg did not come to a point. I have seen 3 for sale at local shows, and 1 on ebay in an old anacs, reasonably priced, but your right, they just don't seem to be around.

derryb

Sorry to steal your thread, I can't find any info on a 2005 D "detached leg" buffalo nickle. Error coin maybe? Any info appreciated. Also, how would I submit it for grading to PCGS, can't seem to find a designation unless it is the "speared buffalo."

ar18

Sorry to steal your thread, I can't find any info on a 2005 D "detached leg" buffalo nickle. Error coin maybe? Any info appreciated. Also, how would I submit it for grading to PCGS, can't seem to find a designation unless it is the "speared buffalo."

I have never seen this but I assume it is die polish, doubt PCGS will give it a number, different era different process. As fot the speares bison, whatever, is every die crack going to get its own #?? No. They are neat, just like the button hole collar on the keel boat nickel, but worth much, not likely. I prefer the pissing bison version.

koynekwest

A tough coin, but usually overstated as to rarity. I would estimate around 250 exist. I know of one collector who has a hoard over over 50!! I have cherried four over the years.

Numisone

I think that most are traded privately to keep the pop numbers low.

koynekwest

I personally have owned five different specimens; a friend of mine has had over a dozen. Until the variety was listed in the "Red Book," nearly all were traded privately. I'm sure that there is still a number that have yet to be cherried out there. On the other hand, I once looked through over 60 rolls of unsearched 1936-D nickels without finding a single one. The last one I found was in a junk box of around 20 coins.

buffnut

Woohoo!!!! Got my grade on the 36D legger I sent in:

Line # Item # Cert # PCGS No. CoinDate Denomination Variety Country Grade
1 1 08591003 93978 1936-D 5C 3-1/2 Legs US VF20

I usually score F12-15's and I am notorious for MS64's. I finally got one right here!

goose3

Way over-rated.

In the past few years I'd say that I've probably seen 20 or more total up on ebay.

Not sure when it was discovered but the pops on it will do nothing but go up.

I used to want one but the pricing has gotten to the point of stupid for what I feel is the equivalent of a "2 feathers" obverse.

I snagged a nice VG8 1916DDO a few years back.

buffnut

I guess it has the same appeal to me as the VAMs do to morgan and peace collectors. I like the "legger" varieties, moreso than the 2 feathers and no "F"s. One of these days I want to put together an NGC multi holder with all of the leg varieties in the buffalo series (17D, 26D, 27D, 36D, 37D).

buffnut

I picked it up this morning- here is the pic I promised:

Shamika

Very nice coin Travis. I was wondering what the coin would look like.

buffnut

For anyone interested, there is a PCGS F15 up for auction at Teletrade:

36D 3 1/2 legger

BUFFNIXX

I once helped a collector build a hoard of fifty of these puppies, all certifiedl One was an acg ms60 that should have been graded au53. This will hoard will not come onto the market for many years. My estimate of this coin's rarity is maybe 400 or 500. They seem to show up very infrequently. I was able to buy one last year on election day from a heritage auction for only $130!! That coin graded VG plus. A very interseting coin. Much rarer than the 1937-d three legger BUFFNIXX

ChuckC

Any new known facts about the 3 1/2 legger? Have any MS examples come to market?

koynekwest

A PCGS MS62 sold a year or so ago for $14,250-a bargain IMO. This may be the only known Mint State specimen tho ANACS also lists one MS coin. They may be one and the same coin. I have never heard of another in Mint State grade.

yellowjacket

I'm still looking hard to find one for my registry.

Garrow