Options
Apparently not all '37-D 3 leggers are created equal
koynekwest
Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is the second I've seen. It is slabbed PCGS MS64/CAC and seems to be MUCH rarer than the fully effaced version and more closely resembles the 1936-D 3 1/2 legged coin. Apparently this die was polished more than once and this one could properly be called Die Stage A whereas the one we know and love would be the Die Stage B. The small feather directly behind the neck is completely intact on this Stage A whereas it is "detached" on Stage B.
2
Comments
Super nice variety, should be called a 3 and one legger for sure!
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
Not only have I never seen that, I didn't know it existed. Thanks for sharing. I learned something today.
Glad to hear that! It's the main benefit of this place.
After further thought this die stage should be "Stage B." A Stage "A" would be a normal 1937-D coin from this die before anything was removed. Die Stage "C" would be the one normally seen.
Never even heard of one before. Thanks for pointing it out. Something new to search for.
How was it noted on the slab?
3 legger?
BHNC #203
Yes-
Yes, I must admit, I've never seen this either. It's one of my favorite coins.
I bought my first one in 1977. An XF for 120.00.
First one I bought was a VG back around 1962 for $30. They are actually difficult to find in good or very good as they were reported very shortly after they were minted, were widely publicized, and saved in quantity at that time. They just didn't have time to circulate down to those grades except rarely.
Concerning the coin cited, it was pointed out that this was an earlier die state than is usually seen.
That’s interesting
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
It’s cool coin
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
Interesting, thanks for sharing !!!
Great picture... It would be easy to miss when scanning for 3 leggers... Maybe I better check my 'pile' of Buffs again... Cheers, RickO
Always something of interest posted. Thanks.
If I were buying a 3-Leg buffalo, I would only want the late die state specimen where the front leg is totally missing. This reminds me of those 1922 Plain Lincoln cents with the "Weak D" designation.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
I agree.
I've only certified one as a 3 1/2 leg. It was the first one I ever saw or heard of. There is a thread about these on one of the major forums CT I think. I asked if anyone ever heard of one of these. I was very surprised that these were not in the literature. They are rarer than the LDS.
IMO, calling this a 3 leg makes all the known 3 1/2 leg Buffalos with different dates THREE LEG varieties also.
Some of the 3 1/2 legged varieties are very nearly 3 legged, like this one, a 1927-D.
Would have fooled me.
The coin shown in the first post is not a 3-leg variety. No trace of the foreleg above the hoof can be visible to qualify.
Buffalos with a partially effaced right foreleg have been known for a long time. In the past they were simply rejected because they included design details and did not comply with collector's desire for a "legless" bison. My recollection is they were/are far more commonly seen than the real 3-leg bovine.
I agree. A 3-leg has no trace of the leg above the hoof. What I find that is important in this discussion is the fact that these 3 1/2 leg '37-D's must be extremely rare. Now I've seen three in fifty years. An never knew they existed since recently.
1937-D 3 leg 5c are one of the commonest coins sent to TPGS's. Many alterations are submitted also.
Thank you for posting- I had always wondered if there was an earlier die state with the leg only partially effaced.
First one I've seen in 58 years.
Make that the SECOND one in 58 years. The first was posted here by Insider2 back in December, 2017.
FWIW, I would certify the OP coin as a 3-Legged Buffalo. I can see putting a qualifier such as "EDS" on the holder, but I like the coin.
As for this being Die Stage B and the regular one being Die State C, I could live with that, but the only thing I would count as Die State A would be a coin with a strong clash mark NOT YET POLISHED AWAY but with enough other die markers that you could prove it was the same die. Anything else would just be a normal coin.
Also FWIW, I have never seen a hypothetical Die Stage A. The press operator may have stopped the press immediately after hearing the dies clash.
MOO
TD
There must exist coins from the die that created the variety with an intact leg that could be positively identified via a die marker of some kind, as Tom says-a "proto" 3 legged coin.
Yikes, two years + (12/17). Time flies.
Here is the problem Tom. As best I can remember, the obverse die is the same as the "normal" 3 leg. The reverse on the 3 1/2 leg in the OP appeared to be different. I took it over to ATS and Rick had not seen one either.
The 3 legged has one easily identifiable die marker-a "detached" small feather behind the neck-
The "Stage B" under discussion does not-that feather is intact-
There are other minor differences on both the obverse and reverse.
Here is the image of the obverse of the Stage B-
Thanks for the tip. Interesting, not something I ever used or noticed. I will need to check it out for myself.
Looks like a pretty decent obverse die with no obvious damage from clashing or anything else. I would say that this was not the original obverse die used with the 3-Legged reverse. When the clashing (or whatever) damaged the reverse, it was taken out and polished down and put back into a press with this die instead of its original die, just as the 1922 "No D" obverse was put back in with a new(er) reverse die.
If anybody ever does find a hypothetical Stage A of the reverse, I believe it will not have this obverse die.
If you look at my 3 leg above you can see a very small amount is still there? I know the Obverse looks different but the coin in the first post looks like an early die state that kept wearing down in that area
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
Similar interpretation as "No D" 1922 cents, or "No monogram" WL halves. Any slight trace and the coin fails. There are no credits or debits for being a nice or scruffy looking coin.
I have seen examples that have a faint "peg leg" but the one I posted is much stronger.
Your mileage may vary.
Wonder if anyone has ever identified or found a stage A coin?
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
You would think that PCGS would actually call this coin a three and one half legger cause thats what it is!
What say you?
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"