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grading buffs
zeek
Posts: 397
I've been hunting these for some time now. i know my standard has lowered in the past few months for VF primarily because fewer VF buffs get listed. My goal is a VF set and being low funded I'm close to being done with the teens. I would appreciate it if someone posted a raw low VF and high F so I have no doubt as to what to avoid and stay on track. I was looking for a full 100% horn, but lots of folks say a VF20 is 2/3rds of the horn.
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First off...there are a number of date/mintmarks that are notorious for weak strikes... you can not always rely on just the horn... a VF should have separation fo LIBERTY and the rim... and decent braid details... except of course, with weak strikes... LOL
My advice would be to go to Heritage and/or Teletrade...check their archives...for VF examples, you probably won't find many common dates there...but you will find enough different dates to get a general idea of what to look for...
Also I would recommend David Lange's "Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels"... a must have, IMHO, for all Buffalo Hunters...
Enjoy...
<< <i>Full horn usually means XF. >>
Real fast, bedtime for me: If a buff has a full horn, 100% and it's tail is layered on the hip, the it's XF, wit a split in the tail is high XF and AU according to luster. However, the strike, as mentioned has a play in it. For strong strike in XF and up I look at the head of the buff for details and the cape; VF doesn't show enough, too much ware. On the obverse I'm not sure what it is, I look and just know. One thought is how the hair layers on the engine's face. With a coin in hand even an XF has some luster. I'm surprised, a PCGS VF-20 buff only has 3/4th horn.