so this is what the detail on a Buffalo Nickel was supposed to look like ...

WingedLiberty1957

((I am sure you all thought I was going to post a Buffalo Nickel))

I rarely buy non-toned coins, however I just couldn't resist this PCGS PR69 DCAM Buffalo Silver Dollar. The TrueView photo displays fields that are so mirrored that it looks like the devices are floating in a pool of liquid mercury (or liquid metal from the Terminator 2 movie). Every time I look at this coin I think, "So that's what the detail on the Buffalo Nickel was supposed to look like". Just take a gander at the detail of the fur on the Buffalo's back and head (that's a wow and a half). And I like the fact that they choose the 1913 "Buffalo on the Mound" version for this commemorative.

CarlWohlforth

Ah, there is nothing quite like a proof Buffalo.

<------- and here is another.

magikbilly

This was designed to be on a 5C - at $1 size I doubt the original intentions of JF are intact. But, that does look like T2 metal.

Best wishes,
Eric

WingedLiberty1957

I hear you Carl !!!

Now wouldn't it be something if the US Mint made this a $100 Face Value coin and released it into circulation?
Something I always thought they could do with the ASE as well.
Since the face (legal tender) value of the coin would be well above melt value, I would think they might have a shot to circulate (at least a little bit).

And would certainly be a conversation piece (though clearly totally impractical). Imaging paying for a new Plasma TV with 8 of these (potential) hundred dollar face value coins -- that is just too cool for words.

I often feel nostalgic for the days when the US had large silver dollars as legal tender. Now a days with the price of silver hovering around $28 an ounce, making this a $100 face coin always seemed like a plausible scenario. I know I must be MAD ... and I am certainly dreaming early on this Monday morning (on the east coast).

magikbilly

This design was touched up or reinterpreted or ?? It just looks odd and some things appear slightly different.

Eric

WingedLiberty1957

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they had to re-interpret some things -- going to the larger size.

Unfortunately, I don't have any super clean buffalo nickels to post, to compare with the Dollar commemorative.
Here is my best "Buffalo on the Mound" Nickel (and I re-posted to dollar just below to make a side-by-side comparison easier)

(Someone might be able to post a well struck 1913 Proof Buffalo Nickel.)

Peacemonkey

Great looking bullion if thats what it technially is. I like it better than the eagles.

magikbilly

ooooh that 1913 is luscious and reserved.

Best wishes,
Eric

CarlWohlforth

This is the best image I have of my icon nickel. Unfortunately it is gone so I can't take better photos with my newer camera.

Cam40

ust be the jagged edges around the mouth that give it a cartoonish look?

magikbilly

<<must be the jagged edges around the mouth that give it a cartoonish look?>>

That 5C Pr is lovely Carl - super.
I think yes, and larger things - like the bulk of the buffalo has been moved. The relationship between negative and positive space are different and to my eye that ruins the whole thing.

Eric

WingedLiberty1957

Ahhhh ...

Here is a Proof 68 1913 Buffalo Nickel (not mine!!!) ... compared with the dollar coin.
This is a more fair comparison (proof to proof).

Certainly looks like there are a lot more face wrinkles/contours on the dollar coin (esp around the Indian's mouth) -- as Magik and Cam pointed out above.
But all in all, a pretty darn close rendition.

magikbilly

Yeah, it is just "based on" I think as Coinfacts states- it has no designer I can find.

From PCGS - "The 2001 Buffalo dollar reverse represents the same distinctive and nostalgic design used for the Type One 1913 Buffalo nickels."

Eric

TomB

The Type I Buffalo nickels were not supposed to look like the Buffalo dollar. They were intentionally left with irregular fields for a more sculpted look.

WingedLiberty1957

magik, I think you hit the nail on the head ... the dollar coin almost looks like a high relief retooled version.

I dont recall what these sold for in 2001, but I think it was before the big run up in Silver (so I think Silver was probably selling for around $4 an ounce back then). I wonder what the issue price was on these 1 ounce silver coins? Does anyone know?

magikbilly

<< <i>The Type I Buffalo nickels were not supposed to look like the Buffalo dollar. They were intentionally left with irregular fields for a more sculpted look. >>



Hi Tom,

Exactly - (strike that, reverse it) I must be blind. Forest, trees etc.

Best wishes,
Eric

magikbilly

<<I dont recall what these sold for in 2001, but I think it was before the big run up in Silver (so I think Silver was probably selling for around $4 an ounce back then). I wonder what the issue price was on these 1 ounce silver coins? Does anyone know?>>



Hello,

I just read that the "The pre-issue price for the single uncirculated coin was $30. The regular-issue price for the mint state coin was $32.
The pre-issue price for the Single Proof was $33, and $37 at the regular-issue price."
I think the single largest weirdness apart from Tom's obverse Observation is the buffalo or bison - he is no longer imposing because of the shift in placement

Eric

WingedLiberty1957

magik, good observation. interesting that the Indian is bigger and the buffalo is smaller (on the dollar coin) relative to the rim of the coin.

magikbilly

Hello,

Yes, the Indian is a little bigger and what is really throwing my eye off is the new placement of "Liberty" - it seems to change his expression from the original. And the way the irregular fields TomB mentioned have been re-interpreted, or not interpreted, makes the addition of the shoulder/neck look very strange; it makes the Indian look much thinner and something like the mummy of Ramesses II.

Best wishes,
Eric

WingedLiberty1957

A mummy ... LOL ... that's funny
I am seeing a bit of that effect too

lcoopie

interesting but I prefer the orig. proofs.

ricko

There are several small differences (above the Indians eye, etc) that change the overall effect. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful coin. Cheers, RickO

jessewvu

<< <i>Great looking bullion if thats what it technially is. I like it better than the eagles. >>



Keep telling yourself that.

WingedLiberty1957

See ... This is what I love about the Collectors Universe Forums

You post something, people raise points, a bit of quick online research and analysis is done

And you reach a completely different conclusion

That's the definition of "LEARNING SOMETHING"!!


Clearly my premise of this post was completely wrong!!!

I should have posted

"LOOK HOW THEY SCREWED UP BUFFALO NICKEL DESIGN!"



Clearly I like the original nickel design better too.
What's that old saying "never mess with success"

It's close enough to the old design that my eye was fooled,
Now I know the dollar coin completely retooled the original design

Thanks for setting me straight, guys and gals.

CarlWohlforth

BTW unlike the St Gaudens designs this Indian truly looks like a native American and suits my sensibilities.

crazyhounddog

I'm sure that one of these will be my next purchase. Very nice pick up, I'm jealous.....Joe