Queries on a 1914-S Buffalo nickel

gyocomgd · September 7, 2006 11:26AM

What might the stuff be in our man's hair and in the field at eye level?
And how unusual is it to see the buffalo crowded this close to the edge? He has no room to roam for sure.
And the obligatory question: What does it grade? No marks at all to speak of, the strike is pretty good and my image washes out some of the nicer features. Looks 63+ from here.

Leiana · September 7, 2006 11:30AM

Wow, that's a gorgeous buff!

The rims on the reverse are really deep!

The strike appears to be off center, that's why our friend the buffalo has nowhere to roam.

As for the stuff in Mr. Indian's hair and field, I'm not sure.

It looks 64 to me.

-Amanda

gyocomgd · September 7, 2006 11:39AM

Thanks. It's very off-center, and I'm wondering how common that is--and to what extent it influences the grade.

lasvegasteddy · September 7, 2006 11:46AM

purrteee coin there

yellowjacket · September 7, 2006 11:47AM

Many San Francisco buffalos exhibit what is called the "San Francisco Roll." They have thick beveled rims from the upsetting process in preparation fro striking. This affects the way the lettering and devices appear on the coin.

That appears to be toning on the high points of the coin where it may have come into contact with another object or been exposed to contaminants.

I grade it 65. It is very pretty and with a strong strike.
This date comes with proof-like fields. How does this appear in hand?

Have you checked for 13/14 overdate?

Leiana · September 7, 2006 11:49AM

<< <i>Thanks. It's very off-center, and I'm wondering how common that is--and to what extent it influences the grade. >>

Well, I don't know if it influences the grade.

This could be the angle of the pic confusing me, but the reverse looks off-center while the obverse does not.

-Amanda

originalisbest · September 7, 2006 11:50AM

I would call it a 62 without rub, or 63 tops. It's not the most flattering photo, as the reflections off the surface make it hard to tell what's behind the discoloration in the hair, which I'm not crazy about.

The off-center strike/misaligned dies doesn't really hurt, or help the value/desirability of this buff, being a fairly common occurence.

Leiana · September 7, 2006 11:51AM

<< <i>Have you checked for 13/14 overdate? >>

I thought that was only the Philly coin.

-Amanda

originalisbest · September 7, 2006 11:54AM

the 14/3 also exists for S-mints, but it's EXTREMELY faint.

Leiana · September 7, 2006 12:00PM

<< <i>the 14/3 also exists for S-mints, but it's EXTREMELY faint. >>

COOL!

-Amanda

yellowjacket · September 7, 2006 12:02PM

Originalisbest brings up a good point about "off-center/misaligned" dies. If one side of a coin is centered and the other side is not, it is a case of misaligned dies. This could affect the pricing/grading of a coin. This happens often with early stuff (well-centered coins being more popular).

I have a clad Roosie that has a well-centered reverse with the obverse at least 5-7% misaligned. Too cool.

RichieURich · September 7, 2006 12:08PM

<< <i>the 14/3 also exists for S-mints, but it's EXTREMELY faint. >>

There is also a 14/3-D which seems to be rarer than either the P or S.

yellowjacket · September 7, 2006 12:13PM

Now I have never seen or heard of a 1914-D over 13. But why not?

originalisbest · September 7, 2006 12:17PM

Thanks yellowjacket - I think I've also heard of the 14/3-D, haven't seen one though. I might be being too hard on this coin, but like practically every Buffalo nickel I've ever seen a pic of, to determine AU/grade of MS, you have to look at it in hand.

Leiana · September 7, 2006 1:52PM

Apparently, here is a 14/13 D.

Pictures are not so good, though.

-Amanda

gyocomgd · September 7, 2006 3:10PM

David Lange on the 1914/3:

gyocomgd · September 7, 2006 3:12PM

Incidentally, I personally feel it looks better now.

dorkkarl · September 7, 2006 7:39PM

i like it. 1914-s is not particularly difficult to find in high grades, & not hard to find w/ a very good strike, so your coin might well ms-63 or much better. imo, it wasn't until 1915 (specifically 1915-d) that striking weakness began to be an issue on buffs. if the color in the digi-pic is accurate, i like that as well. great job!

K S

Leiana · September 7, 2006 10:59PM

COOL information! Thanks for sharing!

-Amanda

jmj3esq · September 7, 2006 11:00PM

Nice strike! Beautiful coin.

guitarwes · September 7, 2006 11:08PM

Super/Very nice coin. What happened to the hair highlights in the first set of pics??? they look cool.
Very nice strike and "watery" fields. MS64 fo' sho'

looks like the buff is headbutting the rim wanting to jump off that reverse.

Hold on to that one!

MJH · September 8, 2006 12:54AM

Nice 1914-S
Could be a 1914/13, theres something there.
Nice die crack in front of the buffalo's forehead.

bigtonydallas · October 11, 2006 7:36AM

On a 1914/3 philly buff in Good condition, how faint would the 3 be? I just bought one and am thinking of having it certified to be sure. What would a GOOD 1914/3 fetch at auction?

Thanks

dthigpen · October 11, 2006 8:39AM

Hey Johnboy,

I can't comment on the question stated, but I just wanted to let you know that's a great looking nickel.

Queries on a 1914-S Buffalo nickel

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