Another great Buffalo Nickel from "Way Down South” posted by buffnixx

BUFFNIXX · April 26, 2017 8:57PM

Just joined the herd on April 26 at 10:53 pm est .
“1915 Buffalo Nickel, Razor Sharp FULL Strike, Superb Gem BU++”

BuffaloIronTail · April 26, 2017 11:41PM

If this coin is a proof it should have a small triangular defect to the right of the E in STATES. Check it real good. I have been fooled by 1915 Buffs in the past. The strike on some of them are outstanding, and can be confused with proof issues.

Pete

ricko · April 27, 2017 4:25AM

WOW!! Impressive.... That is a beautiful Buff.... Hope it was at a bargain price too.. Cheers, RickO

thebeav · April 27, 2017 5:13AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
I wish I could figure out why none of my dateless and completely worn out Buffs look that nice.

That is mighty fine!

Maybe you need "Nic-a-Date".......

BUFFNIXX · April 27, 2017 5:16AM

@thebeav said:

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
I wish I could figure out why none of my dateless and completely worn out Buffs look that nice.

That is mighty fine!

Maybe you need "Nic-a-Date".......

I have seen some really nice restorations of 1915 buffalo nickels using nic a date or some other acidic concoctions.
The 1915 buffs restore well. Other years, such as from the 1920-1929 era do not restore well.

Rosco · April 27, 2017 6:33AM

Geeze...would I be wrong to say MS67+ or solid MS68....I can see them breathing...nice find!!

BUFFNIXX · April 27, 2017 6:55AM

I> @Rosco said:

Geeze...would I be wrong to say MS67+ or solid MS68....I can see them breathing...nice find!!

Boy would that be nice to pick up an ms67+ or an ms68.
ms67 = $2,850 on pcgs price guide and
ms67+ = $5,850 on same.
ms68 = ..................... meaning no ms68’s have been graded yet for this date.
MS67? i do not think so. when i actually get it i will post my thoughts on the grade here. really tough to grade a coin from
a picture. but, that said, this is a really good set of pictures.

Rosco · April 27, 2017 7:29AM

Coin in hand tells all for sure, pictures are accurate by and large, cheek and nose might be the critical detractions, IMHO.
A very nice piece no matter what an assigned grade might be...

OldEastside · April 27, 2017 7:37AM

Suhweeet

Steve

BUFFNIXX · April 27, 2017 8:00AM

@thebeav said:

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
I wish I could figure out why none of my dateless and completely worn out Buffs look that nice.

That is mighty fine!

Maybe you need "Nic-a-Date".......

No, you would need a bottle of “Nic-a-Unc” or “Nic-a-Proof"

Rosco · April 27, 2017 8:15AM

The Brave...level with the nostril right below the highest point of the cheek...and across the bridge of the nose lightly.
Maybe I am being to critical...again it is very very nice no matter what.

BUFFNIXX · April 27, 2017 8:16AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
Is it possible this 1915 is actually a proof strike?

I would love to have a 3D laser scan of that fine nickel.

Possible it is a proof. When I have it in hand I will post my opinion of the grade and method of manufacture.

BUFFNIXX · April 27, 2017 9:38AM

@Rosco said:
Geeze...would I be wrong to say MS67+ or solid MS68....I can see them breathing...nice find!!

I was looking at the pcgs price guide and noticed that there is a line entry for an ms68+ coin in the buff series
though i have not seen one yet. that would really command moon money if one is slabbed in that slot.

roadrunner · April 27, 2017 9:43AM

Unlikely that GSC can't tell what a MS67/68 Buff would look like. On the other hand, you just might have yet another unattributed proof from these guys. When it's complete, you can call it the Great Southern CP Proof Buffalo Nickel set (CP = cherry picked). This was the overall strike....the rims don't appear quite broad or distinct enough. GLWCP.

erwindoc · April 27, 2017 3:40PM

I had this one on my watch list. Glad a forum member got it. Keep us posted!

ricko · April 28, 2017 5:53AM

I for one will be watching for your 'in hand' report.... From the pictures, that is one amazing coin. Cheers, RickO

BUFFNIXX · April 30, 2017 4:56AM

Well I got this buff yesterday and was I ever disappointed. What looks like maybe a piece of foreign material on top of the coin south of the 5 in the date is actually a small “hole” in the coin. There are also some very light scratches across from the Y in LIBERTY that I saw and could live with, but the “pit” south of the date, which could maybe referred to as “environmental”
damage I cannot live with. Also the coin’s surfaces look nothing like this, just a light bland silvery color and it makes me wonder if the coin picture was not somehow “improved” When I say foreign material I was thinking maybe this coin was shot atop of a piece of felt and what I was looking at was this small scrap of felt. But no, biggie flaw on the coin, a deal killer. I gotta be more careful about this. Its such a pain sending stuff back. Very very disappointed. If you sent this to pcgs or ngc it would come back “unc details, rim damage” or ‘unc details, environmental damage” and I cannot in my mind tell for sure
if this is a proof or a business strike but no matter, I paid to much for it to be worth keeping with this big pit on the coin.

Rosco · April 30, 2017 6:02AM

What a Huge disappointment for what appears to be a very well struck piece, what a shame.
Not the report anticipated.

toyz4geo · April 30, 2017 6:47PM

Hate it when that happens. At least GSC has a no hassle return policy. Been there, done that.

OldIndianNutKase · April 30, 2017 8:08PM

@BUFFNIXX said:
Well I got this buff yesterday and was I ever disappointed. What looks like maybe a piece of foreign material on top of the coin south of the 5 in the date is actually a small “hole” in the coin. There are also some very light scratches across from the Y in LIBERTY that I saw and could live with, but the “pit” south of the date, which could maybe referred to as “environmental”
damage I cannot live with. Also the coin’s surfaces look nothing like this, just a light bland silvery color and it makes me wonder if the coin picture was not somehow “improved” When I say foreign material I was thinking maybe this coin was shot atop of a piece of felt and what I was looking at was this small scrap of felt. But no, biggie flaw on the coin, a deal killer. I gotta be more careful about this. Its such a pain sending stuff back. Very very disappointed. If you sent this to pcgs or ngc it would come back “unc details, rim damage” or ‘unc details, environmental damage” and I cannot in my mind tell for sure
if this is a proof or a business strike but no matter, I paid to much for it to be worth keeping with this big pit on the coin.

I am sorry the coin did not meet expectations. I was an underbidder who thought the coin might be a PR. GSC photos willhide basic defects, but you can always return the coin., I too, love a great deal on RAW coins........and have found that to be a difficult game base upon online pictures.

Your optimism saved me a few $100's . Thanks, in a nice way.

OINK

mr1931S · April 30, 2017 9:22PM

Well I got this buff yesterday and was I ever disappointed. What looks like maybe a piece of foreign material on top of the coin south of the 5 in the date is actually a small “hole” in the coin. There are also some very light scratches across from the Y in LIBERTY that I saw and could live with, but the “pit” south of the date, which could maybe referred to as “environmental” damage I cannot live with.

Failure of seller to disclose this obvious flaw in the description is not cool,in my opinion.

roadrunner · April 30, 2017 9:32PM

@mr1874 said:

Failure of seller to disclose this obvious flaw in the description is not cool,in my opinion.

On the flip side, what do you say when seller fails to mention they're selling a Matte Proof Buff as an Unc? It works both ways. That's a serious flaw too....for the seller.

BUFFNIXX · May 2, 2017 4:14AM

@roadrunner said:

@mr1874 said:

Failure of seller to disclose this obvious flaw in the description is not cool,in my opinion.

On the flip side, what do you say when seller fails to mention they're selling a Matte Proof Buff as an Unc? It works both ways. That's a serious flaw too....for the seller.

it means there are still opportunities out there laying out there in the bushes!

but this coin I do not think is a proof with it in hand, but from the picture it does look like it might be one.
actual color of the coin in the pix is a grainy golden brown but in hand there is no color and it appears cleaned.

BUFFNIXX · May 2, 2017 10:02AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
let's see it with the gouge clearly depicted.....

======================================
I already sent it back but the above black spot below the date on the rim is a significant depression, a defect that
looks like it has “rust” on it. But it is a killer as if this coin is ever slabbed it would be with a details grade and thus
ms60 or maybe pr60.

BUFFNIXX · May 3, 2017 3:05AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
I will try and contain my disappointment being exceedingly curious as to how it looked compared to the listing shots!

I will address the color. In hand the coin was a very light silvery gray. The color from the picture looked nothing like the color of the coin when viewed in hand! How do you get such rich dark golden brown color when photographing a light silver gray coin? dunno.

basetsb · May 3, 2017 8:05AM

A few of these big ebay sellers are known for doctoring their pics.

Relaxn · May 3, 2017 8:41AM

SOP for Great Southern Coins...

Caveat Emptor

mr1931S · May 3, 2017 3:25PM

Many an ebay seller will assume buyer won't know what he's looking at when coin does get in hand. This is a proven-to be-successful business model. Doesn't always work out for seller when knowledgable buyer gets coin in hand which is what happened this time.

BUFFNIXX · May 4, 2017 3:08AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:

@Relaxn said:
SOP for Great Southern Coins...

Caveat Emptor

In all fairness, the listing picture did show that huge black mark at the bottom. That is why I really wanted to see a picture of it as received to compare. I'll be the first to admit that it slipped past my eyes when I jumped in this thread and maybe I wanted to assume it was a black bugger or something easily removed..... or maybe I didn't even pay it any attention when I was looking right at it.

===================================================================================================
yes the black black mark or black “bogger” (or is it “bougher”?) is shown but then the coin is described as “gem brilliant uncirculated” by the seller. In hand it is obvious that this is not a dark toning spot but rather serious damage. This should
be obvious to the seller and the coin not described as gem br. unc. The defects should be described accurately. It is not
possible to tell what this is from their picture. Same goes for gem br unc coins which are in fact nice au58 and au55 sliders
being described as gem BU. In this case the bidder should be able to determine from the picture whether or not their is any friction on the coin, in this case from the bison’s flank and head.

BUFFNIXX · May 4, 2017 3:11AM

In this coin’s defense though it is as fully struck as you can get and is an early die state coin though in hand the color is a light silvery gray and does not seem to match the color in the photos.

BUFFNIXX · May 12, 2017 2:42PM

@OldIndianNutKase said:

@BUFFNIXX said:
Well I got this buff yesterday and was I ever disappointed. What looks like maybe a piece of foreign material on top of the coin south of the 5 in the date is actually a small “hole” in the coin. There are also some very light scratches across from the Y in LIBERTY that I saw and could live with, but the “pit” south of the date, which could maybe referred to as “environmental”
damage I cannot live with. Also the coin’s surfaces look nothing like this, just a light bland silvery color and it makes me wonder if the coin picture was not somehow “improved” When I say foreign material I was thinking maybe this coin was shot atop of a piece of felt and what I was looking at was this small scrap of felt. But no, biggie flaw on the coin, a deal killer. I gotta be more careful about this. Its such a pain sending stuff back. Very very disappointed. If you sent this to pcgs or ngc it would come back “unc details, rim damage” or ‘unc details, environmental damage” and I cannot in my mind tell for sure
if this is a proof or a business strike but no matter, I paid to much for it to be worth keeping with this big pit on the coin.

I am sorry the coin did not meet expectations. I was an underbidder who thought the coin might be a PR. GSC photos willhide basic defects, but you can always return the coin., I too, love a great deal on RAW coins........and have found that to be a difficult game base upon online pictures.

Your optimism saved me a few $100's . Thanks, in a nice way.

OINK

And I finally got my refund back from GSC today -- and it was for $910. Thanks for the comment from @OldIndianNutKase.
I will be very careful bidding for GSC coins in the future. Wonder how long it will take them to relist the coin. Will it be described the same way as “gem br. unc. full strike”?

koynekwest · May 12, 2017 3:58PM

I'm sure it will be interesting to check back and see. I vote that they will.

davewesen · May 13, 2017 1:53PM

Is it a 'gouge' or ragged clip / planchet defect?

I have gotten a couple from them and could not tell if they painted/photoshopped the major nicks or had the lighting reflection perfectly over the affected areas.

BUFFNIXX · May 13, 2017 9:36PM

The coin is back on eBay, and it is described as.....” 1915 Buffalo Nickel, Strong FULL Strike, Gorgeous Superb Gem BU++, Sharp!”. Same pictures, same spot, nothing has changed. If you want to take a peek or perhaps take a bid the auction
number is 292116718613

BUFFNIXX · May 14, 2017 4:23AM

The coin I got from them was definitely photoshopped. Color in the picture in the auction was a beautiful golden brown while the coin in hand was a mousey silver gray color and may have been cleaned. And as I mentioned the black spot below the date is a small pit that would not be missed by pcgs or ngc and would result in a ms60 details grade. Also the photoshopping made the coin look like a proof. Really not sure if it was or was not but I could not live with the pit.

davewesen · May 14, 2017 11:24AM

I wonder if they 'multi-layer' their shots? They sure show lots of detail.

lkeigwin · May 14, 2017 11:56AM

Link to the new auction:
ebay.com/itm/1915-Buffalo-Nickel-Strong-FULL-Strike-Gorgeous-Superb-Gem-BU-Sharp-/292116718613?hash=item4403836415:g:5wsAAOSwaEhZFhvK

That ding was the first thing I noticed. I wasn't sure what it was...could very well have been debris...but knowing the seller made me fear the worst.

A shame we didn't get pictures of the coin received. I'm sure OP was in a hurry to send it back.
Lance.

BUFFNIXX · May 14, 2017 11:57AM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
If you were young and into coins, had access to various microwelding processes and had a vision that one day a rare buffnick like that would be sought enough to warrant professional restoration, how much would it be worth even if you had no idea how you'd restore the surface after filled with color matched nickel?

What if you knew how you'd restore the surface and knew you could do it?

Do you think any coins are slabbed or retain great amount of value that have had similar damages repaired?

I do not believe that it is possible to repair damage like this and get it past the graders at pcgs and ngc and most of the other grading services. But I guess as the technology becomes available it may be possible to do this in the future.

BUFFNIXX · May 14, 2017 4:30PM

@CoinsAndMoreCoins said:
It is possible to repair such damage and likely even perp tom foolery upon the graders. I'm not suggesting a restoration based in deceit, but, an honest one for a coin that would benefit and actually have value done right and properly represented.

It required years to gain acceptance for this in firearms and that day has been here for quite a long time where certain types that saw much use, typically mil/combat types of plentiful populations, were deemed better off with all surfaces restored to the tunes of 10 to 20 thousand.

That tiny ding wouldn't require that kind or expenditure to make it righter and it may be years before its value may warrant such. However, if it were a proof strike (you never said if it is or is not) it may be worth the effort today.

It would take money, skill and time and couldn't be done to be impossible to detect using sophisticated inspection equipment.

Just like welded over and restamped engine or frame VIN's can be detected and scientifically proven, a repair that passes 30X stereo inspection, can also be verified.

JMHO.

From the pictures I thought the coin was probably a proof. In hand I was not sure, I was more concerned about the pit below the date. Either way, whether a proof or unc coin, it was only an ms60 or pf60 because of the pit. If not a proof it was certainly an EDS specimen. I hate to say this but I think the pics were enhanced.

BUFFNIXX · May 21, 2017 1:43AM

Well. GSC has sold this buff again, as always happens after it is returned the first time. I “won” this coin for the huge sum of $910 and it sold late last night for $299 and some loose change. A $610 decrease the second time around. Whomever got the coin the second time around would have gotten a good deal if the coin were a proof-60, but I do not think this was a proof, just a great EDS fully struck coin. At $299 this is not a good deal as a business strike, but the flaw on the rim at 6
o’clock is the real game changer for this piece. Guarantees a details grade for the coin. But I still think it was not properly described either time it was listed for sale. Hope the “winner” is happy with this coin.

BUFFNIXX · May 21, 2017 1:44AM

@davewesen said:
I wonder if they 'multi-layer' their shots? They sure show lots of detail.

I think the shots for this coin were enhanced, color of the coin looked nothing like these pictures, and yes it may have been a multi-layer shot to enhance the detail lines.

BUFFNIXX · May 21, 2017 2:05AM

In defense of GSC. In general they have excellent pics and if you do not like what you get you can return it. So as long as you understand whats going on you can get nice raw coins from GSC. And they sell a lot of slabbed coins now.

Another great Buffalo Nickel from "Way Down South” posted by buffnixx

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