A tarnished Buffalo Nickel, (hopefully) for your viewing pleasure..

coinguy1 · February 4, 2011 5:32AM

Please feel free to guess the grade and the selling price.....

mcarney1173 · February 4, 2011 5:34AM

looks 66 to me

airplanenut · February 4, 2011 5:35AM

The coin looks very clean and lustrous, and I could easily see it as a strong 65 or so, but feel that the strike weakness might take it down to a really attractive 64 (and way out of + contention

). No guess on the price.

hchcoin · February 4, 2011 5:40AM

I think Buffalo Nickels are one of the hardest series to grade! It seems like each date and mintmark has its own standards in practice.

tahoe98 · February 4, 2011 5:40AM

...65 and no idea on the money. very very nice coin.

fcloud · February 4, 2011 5:53AM

I'm guessing AU58 based on the amount of wear on the Buffalo's head, back, and hind quarter. I probably went for MS66 money.

BigE · February 4, 2011 6:38AM

Nice buff 64? and maybe selling for 65 money?, what happened to the link to your site Mark, put it back up!

---------BigE

RCDB · February 4, 2011 6:46AM

Not my thing, but I'll guess MS66 and with the right collectors in a room, 2 grand.

GaCoinGuy · February 4, 2011 6:51AM

MS66 and it goes for $1850

DRUNNER · February 4, 2011 7:08AM

Mark . .that is a super--schweeeet Buffnick and I am going to grade it 66 from the pix. I am seeing some evidence it is a nice (at least decent) strike from the clear LIBERTY and legends on the reverse. Perhaps that just means it is an EDS? In any case, that is a 1-point bumper for eye-appeal.

I'll leave pricing up to those who really know the series. But, if it is in a Doily, I'll make an offer!

Drunner

Walkerguy21D · February 4, 2011 7:31AM

<< I think Buffalo Nickels are one of the hardest series to grade! It seems like each date and mintmark has its own standards in practice. >>

This series and standing quarters, at least for me......I do know that I have a 19S Buff that I grade XF45 that has more detail than this coin, and for $165, was probably a lot less money than this piece. This coin either has high point rub, which puts it at AU58, or it's light toning on the high spots from the old storage medium, which would put it at a 64 or 65 - assuming the strike held it back a bit from an even higher grade.

ColonelJessup · February 4, 2011 7:35AM

<< Mark . .that is a super--schweeeet Buffnick and I am going to grade it 66 from the pix. I am seeing some evidence it is a nice (at least decent) strike from the clear LIBERTY and legends on the reverse. Perhaps that just means it is an EDS? In any case, that is a 1-point bumper for eye-appeal.

Drunner >>

crazyhounddog · February 4, 2011 7:46AM

Ya know, I collect these and looking at this coin, or any other buffalo nickel I always look at the hip bone and flank on the rear of the Buff. This Buffs hip bone looks flat looks flat, but sometimes it's because of a weakness in the strike, the head of the buffalo is also flat, so at this point I'm leaning towards a weak strike. With all said, weak strike and all MS-64.....BUT, with a wonderful planchet, rims and color, the eye appeal is gorgeous. Price??

Shamika · February 4, 2011 7:49AM

Technical grade - MS64

Market grade - MS65

All of this assumes the coin wasn't downgraded for friction on the Buffalo's rump.

kryptonitecomics · February 4, 2011 7:50AM

MS66

66WhiteFBL · February 4, 2011 7:55AM

I think it's AT,courtesy of "The Chicago Mint".The strike is weak on the Buff's head in front of the horn.NGC might grade it as a 66 Star.Nowadays,
PCGS would "Genuine" it as AT or QT.A few years back,PCGS might have graded that coin as a 65,shot 66.

coinguy1 · February 4, 2011 8:30AM

<< I think it's AT,courtesy of "The Chicago Mint".The strike is weak on the Buff's head in front of the horn.NGC might grade it as a 66 Star.Nowadays,
PCGS would "Genuine" it as AT or QT.A few years back,PCGS might have graded that coin as a 65,shot 66. >>

As best I can tell, the toning does not match that done by N.C., if that is of whom you were speaking. And the color doesn't appear to be the lest bit questionable, in days/years past or based on today's standards.

The areas on the reverse that have been mentioned by others, are the result of weakness in strike, not wear. While not definitive tells, the abundant luster, lack of disturbances in the fields and on the rims, and lack of similar flatness on the obverse, should serve as good clues that the coin is uncirculated, rather than lightly worn.

66WhiteFBL · February 4, 2011 8:33AM

<< 

<< I think it's AT,courtesy of "The Chicago Mint".The strike is weak on the Buff's head in front of the horn.NGC might grade it as a 66 Star.Nowadays,
PCGS would "Genuine" it as AT or QT.A few years back,PCGS might have graded that coin as a 65,shot 66. >>

As best I can tell, the toning does not match that done by N.C., if that is of whom you were speaking. And the color doesn't appear to be the lest bit questionable, in days/years past or based on today's standards.

The areas on the reverse that have been mentioned by others, are the result of weakness in strike, not wear. While not definitive tells, the abundant luster, lack of disturbances in the fields and on the rims, and lack of similar flatness on the obverse, should serve as good clues that the coin is uncirculated, rather than lightly worn. >>

Tdec1000 · February 4, 2011 8:35AM

Is that a fingerprint on the obv at K-7:30?

66WhiteFBL · February 4, 2011 8:46AM

<< 

<< 

<< I think it's AT,courtesy of "The Chicago Mint".The strike is weak on the Buff's head in front of the horn.NGC might grade it as a 66 Star.Nowadays,
PCGS would "Genuine" it as AT or QT.A few years back,PCGS might have graded that coin as a 65,shot 66. >>

As best I can tell, the toning does not match that done by N.C., if that is of whom you were speaking. And the color doesn't appear to be the lest bit questionable, in days/years past or based on today's standards.

The areas on the reverse that have been mentioned by others, are the result of weakness in strike, not wear. While not definitive tells, the abundant luster, lack of disturbances in the fields and on the rims, and lack of similar flatness on the obverse, should serve as good clues that the coin is uncirculated, rather than lightly worn. >>

>>

The blue centers lead me to believe it is AT.The narrow asymetric color band is questionable.I agree with other commentators that there is slight wear
on the Buff's hip--and shoulder I might add,and the coin was toned to cover the wear.Despite this,I think that coin can be sold at a premium over it's grade be-
cause of the color.In a 65 holder---$700.00,in a 66 holder---$1,200.00.

Raybo · February 4, 2011 8:54AM

Grade? I'd wager it was graded a 67 but I have no guess on the price.

mdwoods · February 4, 2011 9:06AM

I'll guess MS66 one grade lower or higher would not surprise me. (Which is just a way of saying I'm not sure)

gyocomgd · February 4, 2011 9:16AM

There appear to be marks bleeding up from the Indian's hair knot, and another hit to the left. That's a prime focal area, and they rate as distractions to me. There's also a broad area of slight discoloration on the bison's shoulder, possibly from some type of cabinet friction. The strike is nothing special, as has been pointed out.

These are nitpicks, but the standard on the 1919 is high--they are abundant.

It's a remarkably lustrous piece, though, and quite beautiful.

fcloud · February 4, 2011 9:23AM

As we know, grading by an image is tough.

relicsncoins · February 4, 2011 9:39AM

MS65 is my guess. Nice coin. Have no clue on the price.

cape · February 4, 2011 9:40AM

The technical grade would be a 64 at best but the eye appeal is a 65. I like the coin as I believe it is market acceptable ......... But I truly believe it wouldn't pass the sniffer today .

Lakesammman · February 4, 2011 9:42AM

MS66 - $1500.

LRCTom · February 4, 2011 10:19AM

Very nice "tarnished" buff. If I submitted it: 64. The grade it probably received: 66. Yeah, I'm stinging from my last submission...what can I say...

...Tom

BlackDiamond · February 4, 2011 10:36AM

Very nice Buff!

WAG from an arm-chair grader wannbe: MS66+

breakdown · February 4, 2011 10:43AM

Mark,
First of all, I am surprised by the criticisms and lower grades. I don't see this any worse than MS65. I think the obverse is 66 -- really nice strike, great color, no major marks and if that 's a fingerprint, it doesn't look troublesome. Reverse I would guess 65 -- strike is a bit weak at the hip as Joe (crazyhoundog) pointed out and also north and west of the horn but I think nice toning still means 65.
I will guess 65+ (even though I don't see many plus coins in your inventory) and $1050.
I wish you would have sold it to me -- beats my MS65 all day.

jom · February 4, 2011 10:50AM

Nice coin. I don't see any rub on the rump. I grade MS65 with a possible + sign. The color is NT without question, IMO.

jom

mirabela · February 4, 2011 10:51AM

I'm an idiot when it comes to these, but -- PCGS 66. Price, I haven't a clue.

It's pretty, I'll give it that.

MikeInFL · February 4, 2011 11:01AM

I see one significant mark on the entire coin, and it's on the reverse. Easily 65+ from that perspective.

Toning is quite attractive. Nothing holding the coin back there, that's for sure.

Strike is good but not great. Shouldn't hold the coin back except perhaps at the highest grade levels.

So it comes down to luster (as usual) for a gem+ grade, and I can't tell at all how good that is from the photos (which accentuate the color).

I'll guess it's all there but a touch muted because of toning and relatively EDS and guess PCGS graded it 66.

The PCGS price guide suggests a price of $1050 in 66, $3k in 66+, and $12k in 67.

I'll guess the price was about half way between 66 and 66+ and the coin sold for $1,900 retail (or a Feldesque hammer of $1,500).

JupitarCoins · February 4, 2011 11:05AM

MS-65
I say the price is $1550
What do I win

ad4400 · February 4, 2011 12:43PM

Initial reaction is holy cow, but as others have noted, the piece is not without technical deficiencies. As far as grade, I'm sure I've never seen such a look in a 64 holder, so I'm going with my holy cow gut reaction and say 66. However graded, I'm sure it went for a silly premium relative to grade.

cmerlo1 · February 4, 2011 12:48PM

65+

MICHAELDIXON · February 4, 2011 1:09PM

65

Numismanic · February 4, 2011 1:52PM

MS66 and $1200

pennyannie · February 4, 2011 3:02PM

If it was my nickel and i cracked it out and sent it to be graded it would come back No Grade in a genny holder. BUT we know that it is graded and i would call it a 64 but i do not see you buying 64's to make your living off of. So now i see it as a 65 plus and a 850 dollar coin and a smile on 2 faces, yours and the buyer.

kurtdog · February 4, 2011 9:58PM

I'll say, technically, it's at least a MS65. Now, the fun starts. The print or whatever that is on the obverse is somewhat distracting to me, although, overall, there's still very good eye-movement through the coin, on both sides. I'd describe its color, overall, as gentle and balanced, and I even like the purple beneath the animal's pe...I mean, between its legs! I'll say, if PCGS had this, it went MS64+, principally for that noticeably weak strike, both sides. Market-wise, with all its redeeming factors, I could see it in a MS66 class, perhaps even a little beyond.

So, that's my guess, as to the grade: MS65, MS64+, MS66, or perhaps a little beyond.

PS: And I'll bet I got it right...

coinguy1 · February 4, 2011 10:06PM

The coin is in a PCGS 65 holder.

Graysheet bid is $360.

My client bought it from me for $500.

Depending upon which posts he reads from this thread, he could decide to resubmit it for an upgrade, OR offer to sell it back to me for 25% of what I charged him for it.

Based on the images provided, I believe I would have guessed MS65+ or MS66.

66WhiteFBL · February 4, 2011 10:10PM

Do I see a very light staple scratch running from the Buff's nose down to the rim at 3:30?

icsoccer · February 4, 2011 10:12PM

65+ / premium $ for 'tarnish'.
I do not like the weak strike reberse / rub on the reverse hind quarter of the buffalo...but I LOVE the obverse.
Very nice coin!

66WhiteFBL · February 4, 2011 10:13PM

I'm sorry----the Indian's nose.

joecopper · February 4, 2011 10:18PM

Was the 25% buy-back a misprint?

Walkerguy21D · February 4, 2011 10:19PM

A good and educational post, Mark. Thanks for sharing.
And I think I better stick to XF's and AU's until I learn more about this series!

coinguy1 · February 4, 2011 10:27PM

<< Was the 25% buy-back a misprint? >>

No, it was an attempt at humor, as in, if my client were to read some of the low grade guesses......

astrorat · February 4, 2011 10:27PM

<< The coin is in a PCGS 65 holder.

Graysheet bid is $360.

My client bought it from me for $500.

Depending upon which posts he reads from this thread, he could decide to resubmit it for an upgrade, OR offer to sell it back to me for 25% of what I charged him for it.

Based on the images provided, I believe I would have guessed MS65+ or MS66. >>

Your client got a bargain at $500.

MikeInFL · February 4, 2011 11:30PM

That's a lot of coin for $500!

kurtdog · February 5, 2011 1:28AM

<< Based on the images provided, I believe I would have guessed MS65+ or MS66. >>

Yeah, market-wise, I think it could grade better. As I said, I think it's an easy technical MS65. I guess, market-wise, PCGS didn't take it down for that noticeably weak strike. Or, if they did, they brought it back up for that nice color.

Boy, isn't this market grading fun?

ricko · February 5, 2011 3:03AM

Late to the party again, but I would have said 65+.... nice Buff, I would like that one among my herd. Cheers, RickO

A tarnished Buffalo Nickel, (hopefully) for your viewing pleasure..

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