Options
novice questions about a Buffalo 5¢
DennisH
✭✭✭✭✭
I'm a Morgan dollar collector, so I know virtually nothing about Buffalo nickels. So...
What are all of the raised metal lines under the buff's belly and elsewhere in this photo?
Why does it look like there is a B under the Indian's chin?
Is this is one of the 1914/3 die pairs?
When in doubt, don't.
1
Comments
Die erosion / worn die
"Why does it look like there is a B under the Indian's chin?"
Sorry, I missed this the first time, it's hiding between 2 photos.
Die clash letter transfer from the reverse EPU
Yes, a die clash.
IMO:
To me it is the letter "R" from EPLURBUS.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
The "lines" are from die overuse. They are flow lines indicating that the die should have been changed out long before they appeared.
Usually called "cavitation", especially around the rim as metal flows toward it, happens a lot to Buffs, especially at branch mints where the die supply is limited.
The letters under the chin, routinely called "chin whiskers", are from the dies hitting each other without a planchet (coin) between them due to a problem with the feeder mechanism not operating properly.
Lastly, the coin you presented is not a 14/3 overdate. The genuine overdate shows a visible line at the top crossing the 4 in the date. The line comes from the top of the 3, which on Buffs is flat.
There are specimens from different dies, but some of the notations have recently been excluded from certain coins sent for slabbing.
The late Ron Pope was the person to go to for a complete explanation.
I can only vaguely speculate.
I miss him. He was my friend.
Pete
Agree with over used die for 1, and clashing for 2.
I defer to IronTail on 3, he’s the one of the experts.