1914-D Buffalo nickel: Hard to find this nice

gyocomgd

I generally think the 14-D is unattractive compared to others in the series. The details are mushy and inconsistent, as though the dies were worn. There's a flatness and "dirtiness" to the luster that doesn't ring my bell aesthetically. It's like there's something wrong with the metal. The countenance of the reverse is uniform and quite nice on this particular coin, the obverse less so. And this is a high-grade example! Observations from the smart guys here always welcome.

STONE

That's an awesome strike for the 14-D. I too love the reverse, it stands out w/ a full strike.

Is it my eye's, or is LIBERTY just really weakly struck?

gyocomgd

<< <i>That's an awesome strike for the 14-D. I too love the reverse, it stands out w/ a full strike.

Is it my eye's, or is LIBERTY just really weakly struck? >>



I don't know if it's the dies or weak pressure. It's been said that striking deficiencies with the Denver mint Buffs really began with the 1915-D, but I wonder. The fuzziness around the 9 in the date is a smudge on the NGC holder.

Barndog

what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark?

Longacre

I noticed how weakly struck the word Liberty was too. But I don't see any other weakness in the same positon on the reverse. Thanks for sharing.

Are you going to the Mercedes in January?

Newcomp103

I like it...(but then I like all of your Buffalos!! ) Why do a lot of collectors consider this date to be the "key" to the set? There are several other dates with lots lower mintage figures.

gyocomgd

<< <i>what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark? >>



Lange says he finds them to be "generally well struck," despite reports to the contrary. He notes the luster is "indifferent" and says the dates are "shallow." The date does seem to have a low profile, but it's quite crisp on this coin.

gyocomgd

<< <i>I like it...(but then I like all of your Buffalos!! ) Why do a lot of collectors consider this date to be the "key" to the set? There are several other dates with lots lower mintage figures. >>



Gee, I've never thought of it as the key or close to it, but it's definitely among the handful in which it is challenging to find really nice examples. You have to pay for them, that's for sure...
Here's why I say they are basically unattractive. Here's a 1914-P, in one grade lower--MS64. It's prettier in every respect, though some might say it's only "different."

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark? >>



Lange says he finds them to be "generally well struck," despite reports to the contrary. He notes the luster is "indifferent" and says the dates are "shallow." The date does seem to have a low profile, but it's quite crisp on this coin. >>



so there are limitations to what he writes that can only be realized through thorough, "in-person" discovery? Interesting.

ksteelheader

That appears to be one of the better ones for that date/mm.

What is the grade?

gyocomgd

<< <i>That appears to be one of the better ones for that date/mm.

What is the grade? >>


MS65

gyocomgd

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark? >>



Lange says he finds them to be "generally well struck," despite reports to the contrary. He notes the luster is "indifferent" and says the dates are "shallow." The date does seem to have a low profile, but it's quite crisp on this coin. >>



so there are limitations to what he writes that can only be realized through thorough, "in-person" discovery? Interesting. >>



In no way would I contradict or discount what David Lange says, that's just nuts. His experience is a hundred-fold greater than mine. This is merely what I've experienced in my own journey to this point.

Barndog

I like the 1914-P better than the higher-graded 1914-D...like you said, better in every respect (strike, luster, overall eye appeal, etc)

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark? >>



Lange says he finds them to be "generally well struck," despite reports to the contrary. He notes the luster is "indifferent" and says the dates are "shallow." The date does seem to have a low profile, but it's quite crisp on this coin. >>



so there are limitations to what he writes that can only be realized through thorough, "in-person" discovery? Interesting. >>



In no way would I contradict or discount what David Lange says, that's just nuts. His experience is a hundred-fold greater than mine. This is merely what I've experienced in my own journey to this point. >>



I don't think it is a bad thing to contradict or discount an author, especially when you have specialized experience in one area of numismatics. There are people "out there" who are rewriting (at least figuratively) what were once considered to be rock-solid numismatic references.

ksteelheader

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>what did David Lange say about this date/mintmark? >>



Lange says he finds them to be "generally well struck," despite reports to the contrary. He notes the luster is "indifferent" and says the dates are "shallow." The date does seem to have a low profile, but it's quite crisp on this coin. >>



so there are limitations to what he writes that can only be realized through thorough, "in-person" discovery? Interesting. >>



In no way would I contradict or discount what David Lange says, that's just nuts. His experience is a hundred-fold greater than mine. This is merely what I've experienced in my own journey to this point. >>



This is just proof that there are coins out there that contradict the published criteria.

ricko

The coin you show has a definite 'softness' in the features. This of course could be the alloy, the strike, or the die itself (reused and redated etc)... but no doubt about the visual appearance. Cheers, RickO

ad4400

Way nicer than mine, which is very dark and very flat.

Not sure this is a semi-key date but the price differentials between this and rarer dates are interesting. According to the PCGS price guide a 14-D in G is going to run you $80 whereas a rarer 15-S is G is $40. When you get to the 63 level the situation is reversed: 14-D at $465 with the 15-S at $800.

Anyone know if this date was 'hoarded' making the circulated grades less common, like the 31-S

Shamika

Here is my coin in 64. It has very nice luster, but the strike is rather typical for the grade.





Guys coin has a far better strike and great luster. I've seen 14-D's with yet even stronger strikes, but these are quite unusual and rarely have pop seen on Guy's coin.

gyocomgd

Chris, LIBERTY is much sharper on your coin. The tail, too. Like I say, the strike on my coin seems uneven.

Shamika

I think it's more the angle of light.

koynekwest

I've been engaged in an extensive, ongoing strike study of this series for over six years, having looked at and recorded nearly 200,000 coins (Hey-I'm retired-I have the TIME to do such a frivolous thing!) The "D" Mint for this year is actually the BEST struck of the three Mints, with true full strikes a not unusual circumstance (I believe my criteria for a true full strike is MUCH more stringent than most.) The toughest of the three Mints to find fully struck is, surprisingly, the "P" Mint issue. The 1914-S can also be found fully struck with some searching, but, percentage wise a little less often than the '14-D.

There's a comprehensive section in my book on abraded die varieties that covers the strike, including a detailed chart of all dates. Anyone who would be interested in a copy of this chart can email me for a copy.

gyocomgd

Geez, Koynkey, that's shocking to me. Picking a feature such as the hair detail on the buffalo's head, the P-mint coin I show in this thread is much more detailed than either 14-D shown by Shamika and myself. The hair on IronTail's head seems more complete, more "creviced" if you will...the lower portion of the buffalo's shoulder...I'm not getting it, obviously.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

very nice!

jonesy

Here's the one I purchased from Bowers and Merena raw as a 64. PCGS agreed with them. I was told PCGS owned B & M??




Sorry dial uppers!!

Shamika

<< <i>The "D" Mint for this year is actually the BEST struck of the three Mints, with true full strikes a not unusual circumstance... >>


This surprises me quite a bit. I would have guessed the S mint would have the most frequent full stikes followed by the P mint. Anacanda had a well struck 14-D in his inventory last month and I recall seeing one on TT ealier this year, but otherwise this always seemed to be a tough one in my opinion.

Shamika

Jonesy - Notice your coin was struck from the exact same die pair as mine. On the reverse there's a die crack to the right of CENTS, across the Buffalo's hip, and running horizontally across the Buffalo's side. On the obverse there's a die crack across the T in LIBERTY, on the outer most feather, and the date has a perculiar indent across the lower portion of the numerals.

jonesy

<< <i>Jonesy - Notice your coin was struck from the exact same die pair as mine. On the reverse there's a die crack to the right of CENTS, across the Buffalo's hip, and running horizontally across the Buffalo's side. On the obverse there's a die crack across the T in LIBERTY, on the outer most feather, and the date has a perculiar indent across the lower portion of the numerals. >>



As soon as I saw yours I was thinking it was mine!! That you had grabbed it at FUN in 2004!!
So I have to say they were smacked by the same dies too!!

buffnut

I like your 14D guy- the luster looks nicer than I have seen on other examples. The strike is a little light in places, but it does have a nice tail showing on the hip, and looks to be split too- so that is a bonus. I have to agree with Ron though- finding a well or fully struck 1914P can be quite a challenge. Guy- your 14P is (I would say) above average, and I would definitely hold on to it if I were you!

Thanks for sharing yet another gorgeous couple of coins!
Keep em comin!