2 (yes two) better grade Two Feathers in a night - updated 6/19 with grade results and Truview
ad4400
Posts: 2,042 ✭✭✭✭✭
It has always seemed that opportunities for NewPs come in groups, and last night was no exception.
The 1916 was won raw, although not a cherry pick in the truest sense, as I had to chase it up to a point that after I pay grading fees, I could have just as well bought a certified one. The disadvantage of big, clear pictures. 
. I peg this as a 58, but a stronger and more eye appealing one that other's I've seen graded at that level. There is also the matter of the thrill of the hunt that makes finding one 'in the wild' more rewarding that buying an already graded example.
The 1925-S is certified and attributed. It is graded PCGS55 and came with a 58 price tag, which I was totally fine by me. The fact of the matter is this example is better struck, earlier die state and more eye appealing than most 58s for this date. The 25-S 2F appears to have been struck with a fresh reverse die, and while the obverse can't technically be a 'fresh' die and a 2f at the same time, clearly I could have done worse. Any one that knows the series knows the 25-S simply comes fugly, and that acquiring anything with an level of eye appeal is a victory.
Comments
Don't be surprised if that 16 is a 64. Man I could never hunt buffs if I counted feathers all day long. Nice scoops.
Nice scores, the 16 may be a No F as well.
Sure looks like it. The '25-S is outstanding!
Yup, wow!!!
I am not familiar with the difference between a "two feather" buff and a "regular" buff? Can someone enlighten me with a quick sentence or two? Much appreciated. Thanks rln
...Nice Hits!...and while the rest of the country was out buying Lotto tickets
Overpolished dies remove the 3rd bottom feather at the back of his head. Same thing that caused the 3 and 3.5 leggers. The "no F" is missing designer initials.
Sweet picks.. I agree, that '16 may surprise you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Congratulations !!!
nice!
Great pick ups
BHNC #203
They both are very nice Buffs.... Still great detail on each one.... You did very well... Cheers, RickO
The 1916 should come back no less that 64. I believe it will grade 65.
Like Ron said, the 25-S has a fantastic strike. No matter what the grade, that coin should be assigned a premium on the strike alone.
It looks AU-55 to me.
Pete
You are the undisputed 2 feather king of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice pickups!
There are several 2 feather Buffaloes for sale on Great Collections.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Soft strike showing on the hipbone and flank of the buffalo if it's not rub. Tough call buddy. It's kinda weird I don't any rub on the obverse. You have me stumped. I'm thinking it's a 55 but I hope it's a 63 for ya
Wow......it does seem they come in groups. Then you usually hit a dry spell.
There are several registry sets of 2 feather Buffalo nickels, some include some very high grade coins!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
I looked through hundreds and hundreds of buffalo's this morning and only saw one that came remotely close to 2 feathers, so close but so so far away. The others with a "No F" were in such poor condition it'd never show anyway.
Much respect for that keen eye of yours.
Thanks azurecens for the explanation....rln
Thanks for the various votes of confidence that it will grade higher. I'm focused on the flatness on the hip bone, or at least what appears to be to me. Obviously it becomes a much more valuable coin in an MS grade, although of all the 2f, I assume this has to have the highest POP of MS grades.
I had totally missed that. Thanks for pointing it out
I am number 11 out of a whopping 15. The latest two may change that slightly. My set does include the 13-D in 65+ and the 21 in 65, so high grades can be found!
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
The 1916 is the most common of all the 2 feather varieties, both in circ grade and MS but that one without the designer's initial too is pretty scarce. Nice find!
I have to further add more about the 1925-S. It really is too bad that it suffered such a heavy clash. I looked closer at it and found some remnants of the top feather still show in front of Black Diamond's head after the die was reworked.
Iron Tail's chin is also noticeably diminished. Although severe, the reworking was successful in making the die presentable for further use.
Also of note is the reason so many 2 and 2 1/2 feather varieties exist. The small, low relief inner feather on Iron Tail is directly opposite the hide of Black Diamond. That was a prime area to focus on when reworking die clashes.
Here's an overlay of a Buffalo Nickel showing the diametrically opposed elements of the obverse and reverse.
It helps to show why certain areas suffered from abraiding.
Hope this helps.
Pete
Alain nailed these two pieces. The 16 does indeed look like a No F variety as well and could market grade higher than 58.
The 25-S has a killer reverse strike. Even on straight MS pieces of this date, the reverse looks way above average on this 2F variety. Great pickup on both pieces.
Good to see you.
Pete
As a final post script to this, the 25-S arrived today and I could not be happier. Just as the image reflects, great strike and die state and clean surfaces, with a pleasant orange/amber hue in the fields. That was clearly money well spent, and I will consider it an upgrade, even as I let go of my numerically higher 58.
The 1916 was another matter, turning out MUCH darker in hand than the image suggests. Looks more like a 55 than a 65 in hand. I'm keeping it and will have it piggyback on someone else's submission - Truview to come the summer. I will be slightly behind the curve relative to what I could have simply bought a certified example for, but this still has the benefits of 1) also being a NO F and 2) was found in the wild.
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
As a final-final post-script, I got grades and truview back on the 1916. As guessed in my April 5 post, the piece graded 55. I think most will agree that the seller images and the Truview depict very different looks of the same coin.
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
Wow you are not kidding. That True View looks great compared to the original pics. That reverse is stunning.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Very nice keep up the good work...
Hoard the keys.
I wouldn't have guessed that trueview was of the same coin I submitted.
Those are disappointing photos from NE.
It seems to me that there should be a separate FS-number for the 1916 that is a 2 feather and no "F".