Toned Buff......in the midst of my 1st attempt to collect this classic..........
Paradisefound
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Is this type of toning happened due to having them in the book for a long period of time? Is it a normal occurence?
2 different coins showing similar pattern at different stages; which confirm the suspected process IMHO
5
Comments
A good member suggested Buff for a fun starter and here I am trying....and I will start from semi > hard dates first
Some might say wood grain toning. The 2nd one looks like 2 goblins making out below the tie in the pony tail.
I like the top one better. More wear but more attractive toning. A good classic series to collect. A nice plan to get the harder ones first. The easier ones are, well, easier to find.
Here is one you might be interested in
D Carr 1913-2013 Buffalo Centennial
Excellent start!
Congrats on a great start to a wonderful series. Woodgrain was prolific in the earlier years of production and seems to be less evident(but still found) in the later years. Here are a few like yours which I love by the way.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
To clarify, I think the woodgrain effect being shown was due to alloy mixing of the planchets, not album or other storage.
That said though, the OP's first coin appears to show both, woodgrain streaking, and album or other long term storage toning.
I don't collect buffs but the one on top does not look like a natural color. The bottom looks more natural to me.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
Glad you got the book.
"Woodgrain" or "Streaky" toning is natural as said in the above comments. It also happens on early Lincoln Cents. It has something to do with the alloying of the planchet.
The 1916 is actually a "Type 3" Buffalo Nickel, the Type 1 of course being the Raised mound 1913, and the Type 2 being the exergue made to protect the Denomination from wear.
The obverse LIBERTY was radically strengthened and made bolder in 1916, and the date (as can be seen by the rather large "6") was also reworked to try to prevent premature wear.
A well struck Buff will show a completely formed top feather, and a detailed knot in Iron Tails braid. On the reverse, the head and tail area of Black Diamond should be bold (a split tail will show), and the central area of Black Diamond (the mane) should be well detailed from the top down to the leg.
There are too many different strike , mint and date variations to discuss here. That's what concerns a lot of collectors when they start. You have to study Buffs, then they will no longer be strangers to you.
They become your "Friends" after a while.............................
Pete
Nice coin!
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WOOD GRAIN...that's the term I was looking for. THANK YOU!
@Walkerguy21D
@BuffaloIronTail
@jesbroken
You almost sum it up for me my friend
@BuffaloIronTail
You have a very "healthy" imagination but of course it was late when you posted last night
That's a nice start to a great series to collect.
Here's my 1916 with wood grain toning on the reverse:
Gonna get me a $50 Octagonal someday. Some. Day.
I have heard that people who liked a coin would put in a desk drawer and just leave it there. If the drawer was opened and closed a lot it got wear from sliding in the drawer. If not perhaps it toned like the wood grain. Just a thought. Nice coin whatever the history. If only coins could talk, imagine the stories, some more interesting, some dull. I guess the dull ones are the ones with more value today.
I love the Buffalo Nickel and think the Wood grain look gives them great character. I have a lot of the older dates but I use them for carving once in a while. I have a few AU/MS buffs and some with really nice toning. Great series to collect. Perhaps you keep adding them to this thread as you get them so we can all enjoy.
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@Kkathyl said:
This is natural wood grain toning. It is common on Buffalo nickels and LWCs. The cause is an improper alloy mixture.
I prefer the first coin in the original post. It has better eye appeal IMO.
There are several on this forum who appreciate "woodgrain" toning, and you can count me among them.
Good looking buffs @Paradisefound !
My Type I Buffalo looks like it spent some time in the sun;
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