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1913 Type I Buffalo Nickels

gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
edited February 11, 2026 4:43AM in U.S. Coin Forum

How would you grade this nickel? I loved this strike


It is too bad petty jealousy altered this original coin... which was perfect for the hard metal of Nickel.

There is more about it here.
http://www.mrbrklyn.com/buffalo_nickles.html

So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
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Comments

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 16,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would grade the nickel MS64.

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

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
    edited February 11, 2026 4:47AM

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    That coin was stolen from me and I found it not easy to replace. I got it from an old time dealer named Ralf from Pace Coins in Brooklyn. I doubt he is still with us.

    This is one I found in a flip at the coin show in Merick Long Island, NY - but not as nice although it was sent to ANACs for grading



    http://images.mrbrklyn.com/coins/indian_head_nickle_type_I/

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,699 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like it was clashed, but that doesn't affect the grade.

    Looks 64 to me.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @ChrisH821 said:
    The network at my office has your website blocked due to security concerns.
    The coin looks nice, I'd wager MS64-ish depending on luster. 1913 Type 1 typically comes nice, it should be easy to find a replacement that's just as nice or nicer.

    That has happened ever since Verzion and Norton tried to shake me down for $40 a month and I told them to go blow.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:
    Looks like it was clashed, but that doesn't affect the grade.

    Looks 64 to me.

    Pete

    where do you see a clash?

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    That makes the loss of that coin even sadder. It is interesting that if you look up previous sales of 1913 Type Is in MS66 they fluctuate wildly in price from a few hundred dollars to into the thousands.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It looks like an MS-64. These coin have to "sing and dance" to get a high grade; they were saved in quantity.

    This one looks nice, and is graded MS-63.

    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 ... ?
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hard to evaluate the luster from that photo. Could be a 65 if the luster is fresh and booming.

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
    edited February 12, 2026 10:23AM

    @BillJones said:
    It looks like an MS-64. These coin have to "sing and dance" to get a high grade; they were saved in quantity.

    This one looks nice, and is graded MS-63.

    Yeah - I live that coin. It has a little weakness in the hair on top of the head, but that is not unusual. I love these coins most when the strike has that lovely matted look on the fields and other parts of the coin. What makes these coins hard to grade, IMO, is that they are very busy coins with no flat spots. Hits can fade into the design and I am not sure what luster means in the context of these matted fields.

    I would be very happy with your coin.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @Connecticoin said:
    Hard to evaluate the luster from that photo. Could be a 65 if the luster is fresh and booming.

    Can you show me an example of a type I with booming luster? I'd like to see what it looks like.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @Connecticoin said:
    Hard to evaluate the luster from that photo. Could be a 65 if the luster is fresh and booming.

    Can you show me an example of a type I with booming luster? I'd like to see what it looks like.

    I have seen them. The asking price was around $200.

    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 ... ?
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,032 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @Connecticoin said:
    Hard to evaluate the luster from that photo. Could be a 65 if the luster is fresh and booming.

    Can you show me an example of a type I with booming luster? I'd like to see what it looks like.

    Go to CoinFacts, and under 1913T1, go to More Images, there are dozens pictured, toned and brilliant.

    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • SollaSollewSollaSollew Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 16,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

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

  • SollaSollewSollaSollew Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ^
    Thank you.
    I thought the strike is within the GEM range yet did miss your luster observation.

  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,187 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Luster rules the roost when it comes to grading these buffalo nickels or any other coin. I’m also in the 64 camp due to the lack of luster as it appears.
    Here’s a nice 66 type 1I like a lot.


    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,266 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 4,164 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Next, you'll be telling us that "what your are searching for" is not grammatically correct. ;)

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
    edited February 13, 2026 12:28PM

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Shiny is not the same as luster. Luster is due to the flow of the metal on pressing which alters the crystalized structure of the metal giving that booming luster in the pattern from the metal flow in silver strikes. Nickle is much harder metal and has less flow and less luster, although it can be shiny. Chromium steel is also shiny. In the Type I nickle, there is a matted pattern in the field. There are no open fields, so the pursuit of luster is puzzling me.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 4,164 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Shiny is not the same as lust.

    True.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 13, 2026 12:05PM

    What is puzzling me is your repeated insistence on spelling the word "nickel" incorrectly. 🤨

    And BTW, coins are struck, not pressed. ;)

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 16,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Shiny is not the same as lust. Luster is due to the flow of the metal on pressing which alters the crystalized structure of the metal giving that booming luster in the pattern from the metal flow in silver strikes. Nickle is much harder metal and has less flow and less luster, although it can be shiny. Chromium steel is also shiny. In the Type I nickle, there is a matted pattern in the field. There are no open fields, so the pursuit of luster is puzzling me.

    @crazyhounddog posted what appears to be a highly lustrous example two posts above yours. But if you prefer to use the word “shiny” instead, that’s fine with me. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of “shiny” 1913 Type 1 Buffalo nickels, including quantities of original rolls.

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

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Shiny is not the same as lust. Luster is due to the flow of the metal on pressing which alters the crystalized structure of the metal giving that booming luster in the pattern from the metal flow in silver strikes. Nickle is much harder metal and has less flow and less luster, although it can be shiny. Chromium steel is also shiny. In the Type I nickle, there is a matted pattern in the field. There are no open fields, so the pursuit of luster is puzzling me.

    @crazyhounddog posted what appears to be a highly lustrous example two posts above yours.

    I don't see it. I think one really needs video to see luster as it is in the movement of the light. Static images make seeing luster very difficult.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @JBK said:
    What is puzzling me is your repeated insistence on spelling the word "nickel" incorrectly. 🤨

    And BTW, coins are struck, not pressed. ;)

    I pride myself on consistency and little nickles are worth more than large Pennies.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • SollaSollewSollaSollew Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There was a court reporter I knew years ago, and her God given name was, I swear- Pennie Nickels.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 16,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tranquility said:
    There was a court reporter I knew years ago, and her God given name was, I swear- Pennie Nickels.

    Some of us on this forum would have corrected her name to Cent Nickels😉

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

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 16,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @JBK said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:

    @MFeld said:
    I would grade the nickel MS64.

    I am curious why?
    Strike? Marks?
    I don't see why this one is an MS64 (in your mind's eye).

    The surfaces look clean but the strike and luster appear subpar.

    I don't know what luster means in the context of these coins that have matted fields. What I want to see is texture, not luster shine on Nickle - which is not that lusterious of a metal to begin with. I would like to see video of two coins - one with the luster you are describing and one less so, so I can understand what your are searching for.

    First, the word is "nickel" as has been pointed out previously.

    Second, nickel is actually a lustrous/shiny metal.

    The "nickel" five cent pieces you collect are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but in any case, new nickels are indeed shiny.

    Shiny is not the same as lust. Luster is due to the flow of the metal on pressing which alters the crystalized structure of the metal giving that booming luster in the pattern from the metal flow in silver strikes. Nickle is much harder metal and has less flow and less luster, although it can be shiny. Chromium steel is also shiny. In the Type I nickle, there is a matted pattern in the field. There are no open fields, so the pursuit of luster is puzzling me.

    @crazyhounddog posted what appears to be a highly lustrous example two posts above yours.

    I don't see it. I think one really needs video to see luster as it is in the movement of the light. Static images make seeing luster very difficult.

    I think that in many cases, images represent a coin’s luster quite adequately.

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

  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 13, 2026 2:15PM

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:
    There was a court reporter I knew years ago, and her God given name was, I swear- Pennie Nickels.

    Some of us on this forum would have corrected her name to Cent Nickels😉

    Or Cent Five-Cent-Pieces. :*

  • SollaSollewSollaSollew Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:
    There was a court reporter I knew years ago, and her God given name was, I swear- Pennie Nickels.

    Some of us on this forum would have corrected her name to Cent Nickels😉

    It's funny you mention that as many called her by that first name yet with a slight alteration to the vowel.
    (She was a bit of a meanie.)

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,135 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My favorite. Photo by crazyhounddog. thanks Joe.
    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
  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    This is one more I have - seemed to look better in the flip than when I photographed it. Want to access a grade on it?


    My guess this is no more than an AU53

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • Rule556Rule556 Posts: 219 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here’s mine, graded MS64. It’s interesting how much luster can differ on these.

    Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭




    This one was graded an MS64 by ANACS - most people feel ANACS grading can be more accurate.

    Whatchyah Think

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,580 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Gesundheit

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 7,021 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I generally don't have an issue with ANACS grading. The couple that I've cracked out have come back with the same grade from PCGS.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,336 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Tranquility said:
    There was a court reporter I knew years ago, and her God given name was, I swear- Pennie Nickels.

    Some of us on this forum would have corrected her name to Cent Nickels😉

    Or Cent Nickles...

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • 124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭✭✭

    NGC MS64

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:
    NGC MS64

    Nice coin and very nice pic!

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • 124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @124Spider said:
    NGC MS64

    Nice coin and very nice pic!

    I thank you for the kind words, and I thank Northeast Numismatics for the great photos of the coin I bought from them.

  • gashmiosgashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:

    @mrbrklyn said:

    @124Spider said:
    NGC MS64

    Nice coin and very nice pic!

    I thank you for the kind words, and I thank Northeast Numismatics for the great photos of the coin I bought from them.

    I brought one of my most favorite coins from them, my stolen MS67 SLQ 1917 Type1

    I was looking at their website yesterday after we had this conversation, and I see they have several more and very decent SLQs... but they are outside my price range. It give me a headache. They have a few beauties.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 7,021 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow that looks way better than "MS63/64"

    Collector, occasional seller

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,573 ✭✭✭✭✭

    OP 1913 T1 - MS64

    Investor
  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,187 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @relicsncoins said:
    Here is my example from my type set.



    I would definitely send that one into our host for grading. From what I can see from the pics it’s a minimum of 66, maybe a + too. A very nice well struck type 1 you have there.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 8,231 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @crazyhounddog said:

    I would definitely send that one into our host for grading. From what I can see from the pics it’s a minimum of 66, maybe a + too. A very nice well struck type 1 you have there.

    Thank you.

    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions

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