Grade this 1913 type 1 buffalo from the pictures

Options
BUFFNIXX
BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum


Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
«1

Comments

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Is that a carbon speck on the reverse rim (1:00)?
    If so, the grade might be altered a bit downward, otherwise it shows MS66 characteristics.

  • DennisH
    DennisH Posts: 14,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    66

    When in doubt, don't.
  • 56morgan
    56morgan Posts: 63 ✭✭✭
    Options

    I'll venture PF67.

  • FlyingAl
    FlyingAl Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 27, 2025 3:08PM
    Options

    Dang. Missed that one.

    PR66.

    Coin Photography

  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    PF66

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    PR66

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    PR66.
    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
  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 1, 2025 8:58PM
    Options

    PR65

    Investor
  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Man that is one nice Buffalo nickel.
    Looks like a proof to me so im going to say PR67

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
    JWP PROMETHIUS88

  • Coins3675
    Coins3675 Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    PR-66

    Successful Transactions With: JWP, DBSTrader2, greencopper, bretsan, ajaan, Ted1, Desert Coin, olah_in_MA

  • BuffaloIronTail
    BuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,765 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Is it really that dark?

    PR65

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • yspsales
    yspsales Posts: 2,670 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 28, 2025 2:02PM
    Options

    My first thought was 67 and hammered.

    Noticed the discoloration and wondered if it hurts grade

    Nice coin

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    This one is a Matte Proof-66 graded by NGC. Once you get beyond PR-63 or 64, you can't grade these coins from photos.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • BUFFNIXX
    BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 29, 2025 8:27AM
    Options

    @BillJones said:
    This one is a Matte Proof-66 graded by NGC. Once you get beyond PR-63 or 64, you can't grade these coins from photos.

    Bill
    Thanks a lot for putting the above picture in this thread. It will helps a lot!!
    Tom

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Here is an Unc., but it is only an MS-63. I didn't sell it when I bought the Proof for my type set because I couldn't get much for it. It's interesting to have an Unc. and a Proof.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • Connecticoin
    Connecticoin Posts: 13,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    If it is a proof, looks like you picked it off an ebay seller not listing it as such. If so, nice score!

    *For Sale on Ebay*
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    65

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I’d wager not a proof but we shall see

    Early Dollar Set
  • FlyingAl
    FlyingAl Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @tradedollarnut said:
    I’d wager not a proof but we shall see

    If that's not a Proof half of the slabbed ones aren't either IMO. This is a strong Proof for the date, T1 Proofs usually have significant weakness on the left obverse rims.

    Coin Photography

  • breakdown
    breakdown Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I see you went hunting for treasure. In my opinion they follow the GSC sales model so it would be nice if you hit on a proof the seller missed.

    I don’t trust their photos so I would rather see photos from you or Al or someone trusted. If you are sending to PCGS presumably you will get a TrueView so it will be interesting to see what it grades.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @tradedollarnut said:
    I’d wager not a proof but we shall see

    What, in particular, leads you to that conclusion? It sure looks like one (based on the less-than-ideal images provided).

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @MFeld said:

    @tradedollarnut said:
    I’d wager not a proof but we shall see

    What, in particular, leads you to that conclusion? It sure looks like one (based on the less-than-ideal images provided).

    We have no way of assessing the ‘fabric’ of the coin off the image and I’ve seen so many well struck 1913’s that strike alone won’t cause me to think ‘proof’. So without confirmation of proof fabric, I’ll take the under and let it ride.

    Early Dollar Set
  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @tradedollarnut said:

    @MFeld said:

    @tradedollarnut said:
    I’d wager not a proof but we shall see

    What, in particular, leads you to that conclusion? It sure looks like one (based on the less-than-ideal images provided).

    We have no way of assessing the ‘fabric’ of the coin off the image and I’ve seen so many well struck 1913’s that strike alone won’t cause me to think ‘proof’. So without confirmation of proof fabric, I’ll take the under and let it ride.

    Thanks, and admittedly, we don’t how closely the images resemble the coin.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • davewesen
    davewesen Posts: 6,981 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    what does the third side look like? The edge

    I remember reading about a guy who found a few raw proof early Buffalos at shows by looking for mirrored edges.

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I was an underbidder on that one. I have an MS66 that looks almost identical to it. Impossible to call it proof or not.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ChrisH821 said:
    I was an underbidder on that one. I have an MS66 that looks almost identical to it. Impossible to call it proof or not.

    Do you have your suspicions regarding if this is a proof or mint state and thus didn't bid higher?

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @sanddollar said:

    @ChrisH821 said:
    I was an underbidder on that one. I have an MS66 that looks almost identical to it. Impossible to call it proof or not.

    Do you have your suspicions regarding if this is a proof or mint state and thus didn't bid higher?

    I was bidding assuming it would grade MS66. FWIW and hopefully not to derail, my bid also wasn't higher because I became highly suspicious that this seller shills their auctions, a lot. I probably should have ignored all that but it looks to have worked out for buffnix, so that's good at least.
    Anyway, this one is a PCGS/CAC MS66. The OP coin might be a little nicer, unclear though.

    Here are the full size photos of the subject coin that were not provided in the OP

    Collector, occasional seller

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ChrisH821 said:

    @sanddollar said:

    @ChrisH821 said:
    I was an underbidder on that one. I have an MS66 that looks almost identical to it. Impossible to call it proof or not.

    Do you have your suspicions regarding if this is a proof or mint state and thus didn't bid higher?

    I was bidding assuming it would grade MS66. FWIW and hopefully not to derail, my bid also wasn't higher because I became** highly suspicious that this seller shills their auctions, a lot.** I probably should have ignored all that but it looks to have worked out for buffnix, so that's good at least.

    I too have bid on some of his Buffalo nickels and was the underbidder only to have the same coin turn up a few days/weeks later under the same seller.

  • davewesen
    davewesen Posts: 6,981 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    the reverse looks like could be a touch of corrosion near 2 o'clock on the edge

  • BUFFNIXX
    BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I forgot to mention something I noticed on this coin yesterday. It has a complete absence of contact marks Almost unreal.
    I have examined it carefully and it is completely pristine outside of the spot of corrosion on the reverse rim at one o'clock.
    its as if it was caught by someone wearing gloves when it came out of the dies.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • Halfhunter06
    Halfhunter06 Posts: 1,346 ✭✭✭
    Options

    I would say PR 66

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    What does the edge look like? Are you sending it to PCGS?

    Collector, occasional seller

  • BUFFNIXX
    BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ChrisH821 said:
    What does the edge look like? Are you sending it to PCGS?

    CACG

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Interested to see what it comes back as. I think it's a Proof, but hard to be certain.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @BUFFNIXX said:
    I forgot to mention something I noticed on this coin yesterday. It has a complete absence of contact marks Almost unreal.
    I have examined it carefully and it is completely pristine outside of the spot of corrosion on the reverse rim at one o'clock.
    its as if it was caught by someone wearing gloves when it came out of the dies.

    A proof is cool, don't get me wrong, but wouldn't it be a bit more exciting if it came back MS68 (or 69!)?

  • breakdown
    breakdown Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Anything’s possible but highly unlikely this coin is going to grade as high as MS 67. These photos are at best inconclusive and at worst hiding the reason the seller sold the coin raw. The main thing that stands out to me is the uneven toning that suggests a bad rinse job at some point in its past.

    Understand that this seller is one of the eBay volume sellers. These outfits typically count on people hoping problem raw coins will straight grade. It’s a business model usually backed up with a solid return policy.

    I believe Buffnixx has played this game before knowing it’s a gamble and been successful at times. If it straight grades as a proof, he wins. Let’s see how it plays out.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • BUFFNIXX
    BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @breakdown said:
    Anything’s possible but highly unlikely this coin is going to grade as high as MS 67. These photos are at best inconclusive and at worst hiding the reason the seller sold the coin raw. The main thing that stands out to me is the uneven toning that suggests a bad rinse job at some point in its past.

    Understand that this seller is one of the eBay volume sellers. These outfits typically count on people hoping problem raw coins will straight grade. It’s a business model usually backed up with a solid return policy.

    I believe Buffnixx has played this game before knowing it’s a gamble and been successful at times. If it straight grades as a proof, he wins. Let’s see how it plays out.

    This coin may be detail graded because of the spot on the reverse rim. That would mean it would be a pr60.
    Still not bad for the price paid. The spot is not bad but it could knock it down to a detail grade. If it is deemed to be a
    corrosion spot then details is the way it might go.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Whatever happened with this?

    Early Dollar Set
  • BUFFNIXX
    BUFFNIXX Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Its on its way to CACG for grading> @tradedollarnut said:

    Whatever happened with this?

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @tradedollarnut said:
    Whatever happened with this?

    +

    Collector, occasional seller

  • Coinscratch
    Coinscratch Posts: 11,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @56morgan said:
    I'll venture PF67.

    +1

  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @BUFFNIXX said:
    Its on its way to CACG for grading> @tradedollarnut said:

    Whatever happened with this?

    Man, Dey be slowwwwwwwwwww

    Early Dollar Set
  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @BUFFNIXX
    Depending how this grades, is this something you are planning to keep or resell?

    Collector, occasional seller

  • Coinscratch
    Coinscratch Posts: 11,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    This one looks like yours :-)

  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Except LIBERTY is crisper, the fields are basined more and have noticeable proof fabric. Shrug

    Early Dollar Set
  • FlyingAl
    FlyingAl Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @tradedollarnut said:
    Except LIBERTY is crisper, the fields are basined more and have noticeable proof fabric. Shrug

    That's just lighting IMO. Buff Proofs in particular have a very wide range of appearance depending on lighting.

    Coin Photography

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    It's not the same coin. The one from the 'bay has a slight planchet flaw at the rim by the F.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • Coinscratch
    Coinscratch Posts: 11,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 12, 2026 12:39PM
    Options

    @ChrisH821 said:

    It's not the same coin. The one from the 'bay has a slight planchet flaw at the rim by the F.

    Also has a different year!
    I was trying to compare the coin, not to say they were the same.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Comment As ...

Categories