Buffalo Nickel Grading "Helper"
jom
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Just thought I'd post this to help some who might need to be able to distinguish an AU from MS Buffalo Nickel.
Here's a 14-P. Tell me, what grade is it?
Well, I bought this in an NGC63 holder and because of nice color I went for it. I later sent the coin to PCGS and after seeing the online "report" of getting an AU58 grade I was pissed. BUT...once I got the coin back I really looked at it. Sure enough, it was AU. Very subtle but actually obvious. Now, I didn't lose much value (about $40...whoop te do) but it was a very cheap lesson. ALWAYS check for this. I'm lucky it wasn't a 25-S or something (Yikes!).
On the right is where you check for wear on a Buffalo nickel. It is NOT the same place of the usual stike weakness, which is the Buff's horn and shoulder (on the left). Look for a discoloration and a plateau in that area for wear. Do NOT let the slab label fool you. If it's flat there it's wear. Period.
The picture had to be brighted so you could see it better. Also note the small hairlines to the left on the Buff's stomach area. Dead give-away for "AU-ness".
jom
Here's a 14-P. Tell me, what grade is it?
Well, I bought this in an NGC63 holder and because of nice color I went for it. I later sent the coin to PCGS and after seeing the online "report" of getting an AU58 grade I was pissed. BUT...once I got the coin back I really looked at it. Sure enough, it was AU. Very subtle but actually obvious. Now, I didn't lose much value (about $40...whoop te do) but it was a very cheap lesson. ALWAYS check for this. I'm lucky it wasn't a 25-S or something (Yikes!).
On the right is where you check for wear on a Buffalo nickel. It is NOT the same place of the usual stike weakness, which is the Buff's horn and shoulder (on the left). Look for a discoloration and a plateau in that area for wear. Do NOT let the slab label fool you. If it's flat there it's wear. Period.
The picture had to be brighted so you could see it better. Also note the small hairlines to the left on the Buff's stomach area. Dead give-away for "AU-ness".
jom
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Comments
Thanks for the info it will come in handy next time I'm at an auction. Your the man thanks again.
I wouldn't be too upset. This particular Buffalo is one of those AU-63 coins. It's technical grade is AU-58, but it's market grade is MS-63.
What is surprising, however, is that NGC gave the coin a market grade instead of PCGS. I prefer PCGS Buffalo nickels over NGC, but it's been my experience that NGC grades on a more technical scale.
Still, it's a beauty for AU-58.
<< <i>but it's been my experience that NGC grades on a more technical scale. >>
I was under just the opposite impression. It may be however that NGC has tightened up recently because I bought this one in a bit older NGC holder as I recall. It was definately "market" graded....
Also, this coin is a bad example of a weakly struck coin. But if you see some of the minimarked coins in the 20s you'll see what I mean.
Caitlin: Why do you need this info? You are always buying MS68s. God help us if the services can't distinguish a 68 from a 58. lol
jom