1916 5c Buffalo Nickel 2 Feathers

Nice one! The only two feather I've picked is cleaned sadly.

-CH27

But wot's wit da blue spots?

This one won't make a true two-feather designation, but it is a 2 1/2 feather.

History matters here. The Buff is a perfect storm of striking difficulties: hard metal, small surface area, cluttered design, high relief, and new design causing mint unfamiliarity with striking characteristics. (This is the same dynamic that causes the incredible number of die varieties for the 1999-date circulating commemorative quarters.) The Buff designs were modified constantly to try to overcome the problems, without success. The 1916 is the first year of the bolder LIBERTY, partly redesigned to withstand the right-rear-leg clash better.

There are at least five known die pairs in 1916 that generated two-feather coins, and the 1916 is the most common two-feather date. (Over half of the 64 date-mint-design combos are currently known to have two-feather or 2 1/2 feather varieties.) Your coin is one of those five die pairs, but an earlier die state, which likely is harder to find than the eventual two-feather version from this die pair.

Note the Indian's "hairy neck" (this is the clash with the buffalo's back) and the heavy abrasion marks on the neck.

Grading die abrasion variety Buffs is a beast (pun intended). Remember, the apparent weakness in design is due to the very events that make the coin collectible. Also remember the common clash areas: Indian's chin with EPU, buffalo's right rear leg with LIBERTY, ground with the Indian's hairline, second feather with the buffalo's horn and head, and the buffalo's back with the Indian's neck. Weakness in these areas on an abrasion coin will almost always be the result of overly enthusiastic die polishing.

@panzaldi called it. The areas separate from the clash polishing are sharp. Note the sharp rachis and calamus on the second feather, date, complete and sharp ribbons, buffalo's tail, of AMERICA, and FIVE CENTS.

I have this one on the EF/AU bubble, yet another example of an "AU slider" (what eventually will become an EF-48 pinpoint). IMHO, it's an ANACS AU-50 and PCGS EF-45.

I have it as a possible details coin, however. On magnification, the obverse spots appear to be corrosion. If this is more than superficial discoloration, it will be detailed. Ditto for the edge crud, which also looks like the aftermath of an old cleaning or longterm storage in an acidic environment.

In any event, a fascinating and collectible coin.

EDIT: At $27, you stole this one. Walkoff home run, my friend.

Thanks fortcollins. You are a treasure in this forum.

The edges of the coin look blueish because it was photographed on a blue carpet and I didn't do such a great job cropping. I think the edges are ok. I will try to provide better pictures of the spots when I receive the coin in hand.

This came in. Looks AU to me. The spots are oxidation and I dont see it having eaten into the metal. Very happy with thia purchase.

As always, thanks for your input fortcollins!

Thanks W and everyone who helped!