this is the correct appearance of ONE of the rev. dies for 1926-s
IT'S GENUINE.
compare to the recessed mm of a 1932-d quarter - so often, newbies think they have a fake added mm because it's recessed, when in fact its SUPPOSED to be recessed.
Very, very interesting thread. When I first saw the mm, it sure looked like it was embossed with metal piled up from the area around it with a drill hole in the side for a little anvil to be placed for the embossing tool to be used from above. It even looked like there was a little tunnel under the 'S' because the tunnel was too close to the reverse surface. But doggone it, that Heritage coin shows the identical, rather odd, die erosion pattern on both sides of the mm. Looks like those two are sister coins from a very late die state of a particular reverse die. Unless there was only a single reverse die used, which I doubt, showing other dissimilar examples will not make the case this is not a genuine specimen, which I think it is, waiting for the report on the edge. It's obviously way beyond fine 15 for that date/mint. Congrats!!
Looks legit to me too. Die erosion can play funny with any details, sometimes giving a "smeared" look or even easily mistaken for doubling. In this case it is simply a case of die erosion, but you are still all wise to question the mintmark on this date
I don't think it's fake. The coin is definitely not struck like a 26-P, and a lot of 26-S's that look like that. And I have seen some poorly shaped mint marks similar to yours on genuine coins.
Definitely look at the edge, though for that kind of fake. Although normally those fake mint marks looked pretty good.
Probably would go VF-30. Typical strike is taken into account.
I think that's a fake coin plain and simple....I have never seen a buffalo on a Liberty head nickel......there...I hope that breaks the tie and clears everything up!
<< <i>I think that's a fake coin plain and simple....I have never seen a buffalo on a Liberty head nickel......there...I hope that breaks the tie and clears everything up! >>
Even though I'm going to go with VF-35, I think what we are looking at, is a (weakly struck, of course) AU. There appears to be some traces of remaining luster, and I really doubt it was struck with too much more detail than what we see here. You should send it in. An EF grade for this would not surprise me.
A genuine coin from eroded dies. I'd call it an XF. I think it would be worth slabbing-probably THE most important services the legitimate slabbing companies provide is an assurance of genuinenss.
Well, you guys have convinced me. I'm going to send it off for grading, and replace it in the album with a lower graded example. It's actually one of the nicer ones in the mostly junk box acquired set I'm working on.
<< <i>it appears real to me and with the grading today - no better than a vf35. >>
Ed, what do you mean, "grading today"? Are we in a period where they're particularly tough on buffalo nickels? I haven't submitted anything for 10 months, for the simple reason they were brutal last time I sent in some buffs. For a 26-S, that's an awful lot of horn to only go VF. Many of these have earned XF grades from PCGS with no tip of the horn showing--and this definitely has a tip. i would guess XF40--if it's genuine!
Russ, thanks for the explanation and pics. Wow, acid treated dates stand out like the proverbial 'sore thumb'. Now I know what to look (out) for at shows. I'm planning on building a Fine to VF set of all but the key dates (which I should probably buy slabbed), plugging them in coin board like generations ago. That there can be so many differing opinions among apparently knowledgeable specialists here as to the authenticity of the coin on this thread is an indication that a beginner needs to stick with slabbed examples of key dates from one of the reputable grading companies.
Don't be too tough on yourself... there really can be a difference of opinion on this one for valid reasons. VF35 is very possible and perhaps mostlikely in my mind, however, afew that really know Buffs seem to think it could even go EF45... post pictures when it comes back and conduct a guess the grade... should be interesting...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Yes Guy and others, PCGS is grading at least a point to a point and 1/2 to tight! As is NGC. This is my oppinion and yes i know David Hall has always said the owner of the coin always seem to think that they have a better coin than they actually grade it. I'm proud to say that i can grade a buffalo nickel as good as anybody. Fortunately for me whether i send in the coin raw or regrade at least i'm getting the same grades and it seems all other people I know are getting downgrades. I feel the grading companys listened to much to the sticker people and are afraid! Again this is just my oppinion and in no way am i picking on THE NUMBER 1 GRADING SERVICE PCGS.
Just wanted to say thanks for this thread!!! It's posts like these that makes this hobby & this forum enjoyable!!! Now if I could only figure out how to block all the crap-threads!
<< <i> Yes Guy and others, PCGS is grading at least a point to a point and 1/2 to tight!.....I feel the grading companys listened to much to the sticker people and are afraid! >>
Ed, I question whether the influence of the "sticker people" is great enough to elicit a wholesale change in grading standards of PCGS and NGC. I respect your opinion (and certainly your ability to grade buffalo nickels), but this doesn't seem plausible to me.
<< <i> Yes Guy and others, PCGS is grading at least a point to a point and 1/2 to tight!.....I feel the grading companys listened to much to the sticker people and are afraid! >>
Ed, I question whether the influence of the "sticker people" is great enough to elicit a wholesale change in grading standards of PCGS and NGC. I respect your opinion (and certainly your ability to grade buffalo nickels), but this doesn't seem plausible to me. >>
whether or not the services are changing their ways as a result of the "sticker people" or not, I sure did see a ton of stickered PCGS and NGC coins at the ANA this weekend; from a bunch of different dealers.
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
<< <i> In any event, it looks like I picked it up for $35 on a bid board about 2 1/2 years ago so if it's fake, the hosing isn't too bad. >>
You suck.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
I havent responded to any of these in a while, but this was really interesting.
I honestly graded it a VF30 the minute I saw it, noticed you thought much lower for a grade, and then I thought "I DEFINITELY can't grade buffalos"!!! Then I was surprised it graded 45.
Within seconds of looking at it, I didn't like the mint mark - then you scanned a larger pic - and I thought FAKE FOR SURE - WIthout looking further. I was AMAZED that the mint mark was not a fake. I guess my feeling would have been, even if it DOES grade as genuine, I wouldn't want a coin with the possibility of so many people questioning the mint mark. So Congrats RUSS!!! -- A fear of at first it was not too nice, THEN it may be fake and "OMG, what did I spend on this??", to WOW, a you suck!!!
"government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
Comments
IT'S GENUINE.
compare to the recessed mm of a 1932-d quarter - so often, newbies think they have a fake added mm because it's recessed, when in fact its SUPPOSED to be recessed.
GREAT COIN!
K S
real grade = vf-30
slabed grade = xf-45
K S
that's one funky lookin' mintmark, but if the experts say that it's legit.......that's good for me.
ALSO, that coin is better than a VF.
Send that sucka off, sell it, reap the rewards, and get you a cheaper one for your set. (if you're trying for a F/VF- whitman set)
good thread!
wes
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Definitely look at the edge, though for that kind of fake. Although normally those fake mint marks looked pretty good.
Probably would go VF-30. Typical strike is taken into account.
...Tom
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
Russ, what is the final consensus?
<< <i>Russ, what is the final consensus? >>
Looks like about a 50/50 split.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>I think that's a fake coin plain and simple....I have never seen a buffalo on a Liberty head nickel......there...I hope that breaks the tie and clears everything up!
Ok I think it's real. Back to even.
Free Trial
http://ProofCollection.Net
<< <i>Why would anyone bother to fake a relatively low-value coin? >>
The 1926-S is one of the key dates and, even in VF35, it's about $500.
Russ, NCNE
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>it appears real to me and with the grading today - no better than a vf35. >>
Ed, what do you mean, "grading today"? Are we in a period where they're particularly tough on buffalo nickels? I haven't submitted anything for 10 months, for the simple reason they were brutal last time I sent in some buffs.
For a 26-S, that's an awful lot of horn to only go VF. Many of these have earned XF grades from PCGS with no tip of the horn showing--and this definitely has a tip. i would guess XF40--if it's genuine!
<< <i>it appears real to me and with the grading today - no better than a vf35. >>
I'd be doing a little happy dance at VF35.
This does answer my original question though, and the answer is - I can't grade Buffalo Nickels worth crap!
Russ, NCNE
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I've seen the same thing in 1950 to 1970 proof and SMS coins. In particular, I've seen some surprisingly conservative grading coming out of NGC.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i> Yes Guy and others, PCGS is grading at least a point to a point and 1/2 to tight!.....I feel the grading companys listened to much to the sticker people and are afraid! >>
Ed, I question whether the influence of the "sticker people" is great enough to elicit a wholesale change in grading standards of PCGS and NGC. I respect your opinion (and certainly your ability to grade buffalo nickels), but this doesn't seem plausible to me.
The scan is really bad - the date and some details aren't really as faint as they appear.
http://ProofCollection.Net
<< <i>
<< <i> Yes Guy and others, PCGS is grading at least a point to a point and 1/2 to tight!.....I feel the grading companys listened to much to the sticker people and are afraid! >>
Ed, I question whether the influence of the "sticker people" is great enough to elicit a wholesale change in grading standards of PCGS and NGC. I respect your opinion (and certainly your ability to grade buffalo nickels), but this doesn't seem plausible to me. >>
whether or not the services are changing their ways as a result of the "sticker people" or not, I sure did see a ton of stickered PCGS and NGC coins at the ANA this weekend; from a bunch of different dealers.
<< <i>You all graded it more generously than I probably would have. What would you all grade this one I've got?
The scan is really bad - the date and some details aren't really as faint as they appear.
Based on the lack of horn and the date being almost completely worn away, G-4 on a good day.
And the people that don't think Russ's coin is genuine simply don't know Buffalo nickels. It's a real 26-S.
Russ, NCNE
That's assuming the MM is legitimate.
JT
I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
<< <i>I agree with VF20 but the number of dings and weak "Liberty" should net it at F15.
That's assuming the MM is legitimate.
JT
>>
You're a little late to the party.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>ahem,
real grade = vf-30
slabed grade = xf-45
K S >>
Dorkkarl FTW.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
-Paul
get an XF45 grade.
can anyone explain the rational behind it?
<< <i>
In any event, it looks like I picked it up for $35 on a bid board about 2 1/2 years ago so if it's fake, the hosing isn't too bad.
>>
You suck.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
<< <i>Looks like dorkie and Shamika know their stuff, congrats on the grade. >>
Yeah, a hell of a lot better than I do!
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Nice score Russ! >>
Yo,Homie ,why should we look out for those???
I havent responded to any of these in a while, but this was really interesting.
I honestly graded it a VF30 the minute I saw it, noticed you thought much lower for a grade, and then I thought "I DEFINITELY can't grade buffalos"!!! Then I was surprised it graded 45.
Within seconds of looking at it, I didn't like the mint mark - then you scanned a larger pic - and I thought FAKE FOR SURE - WIthout looking further. I was AMAZED that the mint mark was not a fake. I guess my feeling would have been, even if it DOES grade as genuine, I wouldn't want a coin with the possibility of so many people questioning the mint mark. So Congrats RUSS!!! -- A fear of at first it was not too nice, THEN it may be fake and "OMG, what did I spend on this??", to WOW, a you suck!!!
Unbelievable.
Russ, NCNE
ADUH
<< <i>Check the edges, look under the 's'. It looks added. >>
It'll be hard to do that now that it's in a PCGS holder.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Okay, I shot a closeup of the mint mark:
I think it was added to a 1926.
Russ, NCNE >>
............oh oh. looks like a tamper job!
<< <i>
<< <i>Okay, I shot a closeup of the mint mark:
I think it was added to a 1926.
Russ, NCNE >>
............oh oh. looks like a tamper job!
But you know it's not, right? Because you read at least this last page of the thread, right? ;-]
Visit my son's caringbridge page @ Runner's Caringbridge Page
"To Give Anything Less than Your Best, Is to Sacrifice the Gift" - Steve Prefontaine
<< <i>Very Nice score Russ! You gonna flip it?
Yeah, it won't fit in my album now that it's in a PCGS slab.
Russ, NCNE
Nice job.
Steve