Raw Buffalo Nickel

rmpsrpms

Curious what you all think this might grade, and why. I'm trying to learn a bit about Buffalo Nickel grading, so the "why" is more important than just a grade. Thanks...Ray

Manorcourtman

65, maybe 66. Nice coin

InternetJunky

MS64 due to weak strike mostly on the obverse but the reverse isn't the greatest strike either...the 38-D is the easiest to find high grade, well struck examples of. The Buffalo Nickel series is also one of the hardest to grade because strike has such an effect on the grade. There are dates with the look of AU-58 but really would grade MS65. I would HIGHLY recommend Ron Popes (konyekwest on the forum) book The Abraded Die Varieties of Buffalo Nickels. This book will explain the different varieties for the series and also detailed information on strikes for different dates of the series. He is also a real stand up guy and got me further into Buffalo Nickels by helping me out so much.

ModCrewman

Looks like a 66 to me, very nice coin. I can't go any higher on it due to what appears to me to be a bit of a weak strike on the obverse.

But I'll qualify with not my series.

astrorat

It looks as if there may be a flat spot on the Bison's hip, which is the highest point on reverse of the coin. There also looks to be some rub on the cheek and jaw of the Indian, however, it is tough to tell if that is toning or a light rub. It would be very helpful to see the coin in hand, of course. I have seen many examples of this date/mm in 65 holders with a light rub on the hip. It seems to be overlooked by the TPGs at times. Without the rub, it looks to be a 65 due to the mild ticks and light spotting.

BBN

I was thinking 64obv -65rev. The obverse strike appears to be a little weak. Reverse still looks good.

crypto79

I grade it Dansco Bait

LanceNewmanOCC

.
nice coin and even better images
.

rmpsrpms

<< <i>It looks as if there may be a flat spot on the Bison's hip, which is the highest point on reverse of the coin. There also looks to be some rub on the cheek and jaw of the Indian, however, it is tough to tell if that is toning or a light rub. It would be very helpful to see the coin in hand, of course. I have seen many examples of this date/mm in 65 holders with a light rub on the hip. It seems to be overlooked by the TPGs at times. Without the rub, it looks to be a 65 due to the mild ticks and light spotting. >>



Here are pics with pseudo-axial lighting to show the surfaces better. I don't think the coin has any rub, looks like the luster is unbroken. But it does have obv and rev strike weakness that shows even more strongly with the axial lighting...Ray

edited to add: the "look" with axial lighting is more like the in-hand look as well.

Shamika

65

icsoccer

UNC Details...questionable color. Great pics.

drei3ree

66 if the luster is great, 65 if not.

breakdown

<< <i>66 if the luster is great, 65 if not. >>



Based on the image, this seems about right although if I had to guess, I would say 65. Weak strike is the reason it would likely not grade higher -- 38-D's are plentiful and you can find them with better strikes. Look at the top of "States" as well as the tail on the reverse, and then look at the area above the braid on the obverse.

rmpsrpms

Thanks everyone for the replies. From what I am reading it doesn't sound like there is so much mystery to grading these, same basic rules apply:

- Strike
- Luster
- Tick marks
- spots
- color
- relative common-ness

On that last point, would I expect a common date like this to be equally treated by the grading services, or would "market grading" philosophy dictate a slightly more conservative approach? Thus would a MS67 1938-D on average be nicer than a MS67 1915-S for instance?

comma

I would say 65. Looks like nice luster too.

JupitarCoins

so what did pcgs grade it at?

BUFFNIXX

sixty-four all the way

Gemineye

Your Buff seems to be mark free from the pictures.I like the 2nd set by the way..The stike could be better though..I'll give it a 66

Type2

Will go with the rest MS64 maybe it will slide in to a MS65. Looks like To soft on the strike to go in to a MS66 you can see it in the Hair, Date, Feathers on the obv and on the rev you can see it on State, Buffalos forehead, Buffalos Shoulder, Tail. A nice looking Buff would love to have it.

tightbudget

I would call it 64 but would not be surprised if others say 65. I would call it a 64 because the strike isn't the best, the luster could be slightly better, and there are a few carbon flecks scattered around.

Justlooking

I'm going 66.

cape

Sorry..... 64 at best

Shamika

<< <i>Thanks everyone for the replies. From what I am reading it doesn't sound like there is so much mystery to grading these, same basic rules apply:

- Strike
- Luster
- Tick marks
- spots
- color
- relative common-ness

On that last point, would I expect a common date like this to be equally treated by the grading services, or would "market grading" philosophy dictate a slightly more conservative approach? Thus would a MS67 1938-D on average be nicer than a MS67 1915-S for instance? >>



PCGS "market grades" almost every series so eye appeal is paramount.

Also, don't be fooled into thinking "there is no mystery to grading these". To properly grade this series, you really have to understand the nuances of each date/mm. Some dates are often better struck than others. Likewise, some dates have better color, luster, or planchets quality than others and are graded accordingly. This date (1938-D) almost always comes with great strike, color, luster, etc thus it takes very little to knock the grade down.