1913 type 1 buffalo nickel proof... maybe

Scruffy_Nerfherder · September 3, 2025 11:30AM

This coin was picked up by my father sometime in the early 90s. It's always been one of my favorites in his collection. He gave it to me some 15 years ago. I've always thought this coin has some of the best eye appeal.

Im just not sure if this could be a proof or MS regular strike. It's got this amazing satiny matted luster/tone. The rim looks squared, and the strike is so good.

124Spider · September 3, 2025 11:32AM

Nice coin; but it does not look at all like a proof to me.

clarkbar04 · September 3, 2025 11:39AM

Regular business strike as Spider mentioned.

Scruffy_Nerfherder · September 3, 2025 11:44AM

@124Spider said:
Nice coin; but it does not look at all like a proof to me.

Thanks! I'm old and my eyes are not what the used to be. I didn't even know they made proofs in this year till about 6 years ago. And its always bugged me. Glade to know now.

Scruffy_Nerfherder · September 3, 2025 11:45AM

@clarkbar04 said:
Regular business strike as Spider mentioned.

Thanks! At least I know 100% now. Next is to send it in to grade. No matter if its high or low grade, Its the sentimental value to me and the ultimate protection.

MFeld · September 3, 2025 11:55AM

@Scruffy_Nerfherder said:

@clarkbar04 said:
Regular business strike as Spider mentioned.

Thanks! At least I know 100% now. Next is to send it in to grade. No matter if its high or low grade, Its the sentimental value to me and the ultimate protection.

I can certainly understand the coin’s sentimental value to you. However, there are multiple options for encasing the coin securely which would be much more economical than having it graded.

MsMorrisine · September 3, 2025 12:01PM

this should cost a couple bucks at the local coin store

https://air-tites.com/collections/direct-fit-air-tite-coin-holders/products/direct-fit-air-tite-a21

MsMorrisine · September 3, 2025 12:04PM

they also sell capsules with inert foam rings

MsMorrisine · September 3, 2025 12:07PM

don't know if coin stores carry these

https://air-tites.com/collections/coin-slabs/products/coin-world-coin-slabs-for-nickels-21-2mm-slab-6

clarkbar04 · September 3, 2025 3:19PM

If you absolutely must have it slabbed, and you aren't close to a dealer who can send it in for you, I can submit for you under economy tier. Its tough to grade through cellophane but I'd call it an MS63. PM me for details.

Scruffy_Nerfherder · September 3, 2025 4:31PM

@clarkbar04 said:
If you absolutely must have it slabbed, and you aren't close to a dealer who can send it in for you, I can submit for you under economy tier. Its tough to grade through cellophane but I'd call it an MS63. PM me for details.

Thanks! Very kind of you. I actually have a friend who buys and sells large amount of coins as a 2nd job. Few times a year he does large lots of 20-50+ at a time to PCGS. He mostly deals with older stuff 1800s-1900s Morgans, pennies, and seated dimes and seated half things like that.

Your MS63 is what he said as well. He believes anywhere between 63-65. Although he said a 65 would be on a good day with happy graders. He believes 63/63+/64 all day. He is going to toss the coin into his next shipment next month or early November.

pcgsregistrycollector · September 3, 2025 5:53PM

Not proof I think. Nice coin!

winesteven · September 3, 2025 8:52PM

Here’s my 1913 T1 Matte Proof. I was told a key identifier are the sharp square rims.

Steve

pcgsregistrycollector · September 3, 2025 9:25PM

@winesteven said:
Here’s my 1913 T1 Matte Proof. I was told a key identifier are the sharp square rims.

Steve

Very nice!

Scruffy_Nerfherder · September 3, 2025 9:37PM

@winesteven said:
Here’s my 1913 T1 Matte Proof. I was told a key identifier are the sharp square rims.

Steve

That's a beautiful coin. Congrats!

coinbuf · September 4, 2025 7:13AM

You have a very nice type I, however, from only these photos I think AU details is possible. For future reference when you want opinions you should take photos with the coin out of the holder, especially cardboard 2X2's. The cellophane window creates lots of reflections and can make judging the luster very difficult. The rev shows several flat spots, right at the tail split, the shoulder, and black diamond's head. These could indicate wear or could be areas not fully struck up, impossible to know from the photos. But on the obv I see a mark that could be a scratch or damage that starts close to the feathers and ends on the rim between 12 and 1. That may be something to do with the cellophane and not on the coin, just judging what I see, and I hope that I'm just being too critical.

robec · September 4, 2025 9:24AM

From my old retired registry set. Unfortunately, no TrueViews.

davewesen · September 4, 2025 11:47AM

I read somewhere one of the things to look for on those 100+ year old matte proofs is a reflective edge (besides the squared rim corners). Nice coin.

airplanenut · September 4, 2025 11:50AM

@coinbuf said:
You have a very nice type I, however, from only these photos I think AU details is possible. For future reference when you want opinions you should take photos with the coin out of the holder, especially cardboard 2X2's. The cellophane window creates lots of reflections and can make judging the luster very difficult. The rev shows several flat spots, right at the tail split, the shoulder, and black diamond's head. These could indicate wear or could be areas not fully struck up, impossible to know from the photos. But on the obv I see a mark that could be a scratch or damage that starts close to the feathers and ends on the rim between 12 and 1. That may be something to do with the cellophane and not on the coin, just judging what I see, and I hope that I'm just being too critical.

I was thinking the same thing. My first impression was that there's a slight rub. I suppose (and hope) it could be a combination of the camera and shooting through mylar, but the surface looks oddly rough to me, as well, almost etched.