GTG: Get back to your roots and grade a circulated Buffalo nickel thread GRADE POSTED

Manorcourtman

Here's a 2015 PCGS graded circulated Buff for you. I snapped the pic prior to sending her away (It's a variety coin). What did they grade her and would it be graded different 30 or 40 years ago? I know there is debate about the classic grading of these coins based on horns/tails ie. Will post the PCGS result later tonight: PCGS XF45

Cocoinut

Probably an XF45 today. 30-40 years ago it would have had to have a full horn to make VF. Indian Head cents, Lincolns, and Buffaloes are prime examples of gradeflation over the years.

Jim

coinkat

EF40 is tops for me

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golden

I will go with 40 also.

BUFFNIXX

ef40 or perhaps ef45. cannot tell what the variety is, maybe a 5 legger or doubled die showng in e pluribus unum?

Flatwoods

My initial reaction was 35. Very often my grading is not comparable to third party slabbed grades though.

Manorcourtman

She's in a PCGS 45 holder now. It has a doubled EPU. Good guesses!

ricko

Would have said 40, however, I am sure 'in hand' it makes the grade...Cheers, RickO

mr1931S

Indian Head cents, Lincolns, and Buffaloes are prime examples of gradeflation over the years.

The phenomenon of gradeflation would not exist if collectors would stick with words only to describe a coin's grade.

1. A coin can be described as either having circulated or as not having circulated.
2. A circulated coin's condition is one of the following:
(a) basal.You can tell what type it is and that's about it owing to extreme wear.
(b) poor.You can make out the date and determine where it was made.
(c) fair.
(d) about good.
(e) good.
(f) very good.
(g) fine.
(h) very fine.Let's forget all those numbers,20 through 39,when describing a coin in the very fine state.
(i) choice very fine.
(j) extra fine.
(k) choice extra fine.
(l) about uncirculated.
(m) choice about uncirculated.
(3) An uncirculated coin's condition is one of the following:
(a) strictly. The coin has no detectable wear but is "homely" to the eye.
(b) average.The coin looks "ordinary" to the eye from the standpoint of strike and luster.
(c) choice.The coin looks "special" to the eye.Distracting marks are few and the coin is noticeably more lustrous than ordinary or has attractive "original" toning.
(d) very choice.
(e) gem.
(f) superb gem.

"Superb gem uncirculated" is the highest grade possible."Basal circulated" is the lowest grade possible.Thus,we have six basic uncirculated grades and thirteen basic circulated grades in this system of grading.

(4) A damaged or impaired coin is either "Details-circulated" or "Details-uncirculated." Elaborate on the "details" to the extent necessary.The coin has a hole in it,the coin has been cleaned,the coin has a scratch on it,etc.,etc.

Twenty-one designations of "grade" cover all business strike coins ever made or that will be made.Gradeflation pretty much gets kicked to the curb with this system of grading.

New collectors would not be faced with so much confusion that the current number system generates.For the hobby to at least survive there needs to be new collector blood entering the hobby and then,more importantly,staying with the hobby.The collector is king and always will be king.

The OP's 1930 Nickel is "extra fine." It's a nice looking coin but not choice for the extra fine grade.XF 45 is supposed to equal "choice extra fine." Again,"choice" this 1930 Nickel is not.

This is an excellent example of gradeflation so thank you,OP.

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Manorcourtman

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There he is! This came back EF45, though I had figured it as just a Ch VF.

I'm going to head to a couple/few places I frequent where they still grade Buffs by the old school standards.

I imagine the 1930-P has lots of luster, and a weak strike, but the luster isn't showing in the pic at top. (?0 >>



Yes, the 30 has luster my poor pics don't show! And I defer to the experts on their opinion of 45!!!

mr1931S

I imagine the 1930-P has lots of luster, and a weak strike, but the luster isn't showing in the pic at top.
For this common date (OP's 1930 Buff) it seems to me an XF 45 should have lots of luster AND a good,not necessarily great,strike.

There he is! This came back EF45, though I had figured it as just a Ch VF.

The '37-D 3 legger looks to be a problem-free extra fine (barely).It's not appearing to me to be choice,though.Problem-free should not equal choice as apparently it does with this graded example.