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 Replies: 21 / Views: 1,553 |
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New Member
 United States
22 Posts |
It's possible I guess but, for what it's worth, I do still see luster on the coin.
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Here are some photos to show the color contrast between this one and a normal Buffalo.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1789 Posts |
I don't think it is a proof because the rim edges appear chamfered and not square and well defined. Coin almost has the look of a vinegar treated etched coin. Also notice the clash on the obverse under the chin and behind the neck.
Edited by MisterT
03/21/2025 9:41 pm
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Agreed on the edges not being squared. Thats one of the reasons I'm unsure if it's a proof. Also no wire rim. But I don't know if early Buffalo proofs had wire rims. Vinegar etching is something I was unaware of. Do you have a pic you can share of a vinegar etched coin? Would vinegar etching also discolor the whole planchet?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1789 Posts |
Sorry, I don't have a pic of a vinegar treated coin but I have seen them up close and personal. Similar to using Nic-a-Date to acid treat the date, A bath in vinegar will give that washed out white look to a coin and graininess to the overall design. If you have any cull buffalo's try giving a bath over night in vinegar and you will see what I am talking about.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5469 Posts |
Quote:
Would vinegar etching also discolor the whole planchet? Vinegar is usually 5% acidic so in theory it can turn nickels a shade lighter. Just like Nic-a-Date turns the area you put it on a lighter color than the rest of the nickel.
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Thank you Marve65 and MisterT. I wish I had better pics for you because these don't tell the whole story. You can't see it in the pics but it has shiny spots like a proof when viewed under magnification. But I'm afraid it'll come back UNC details if I send it in for grading. Or cleaned surfaces.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3037 Posts |
IMHO, the clearer photos show that your coin is a business strike, rather than a matte proof. The proof coins have exceptionally high relief on the knot and braids and have wide, squared rims. Your coin shows the normal relief for a business strike for that date. Philadelphia 1914 Buffs are generally well struck. In addition, your coin has an average amount of die clash polishing in all the usual areas, and the 1914 proofs have much less die polishing. Your coin has the Indian's neck / buffalo's back clash, polishing above and to the left of the eye, polishing at the chin, and polishing at the tip of the second feather. On the reverse, the buffalo's right rear leg has polishing to remove the clash with LIBERTY.
Acid washing could explain the pitted surfaces. Pitting is evident on the devices, lettering, and fields. Acid can be used for whole-coin detail recovery, but also is used to remove verdigris and spotting. I suspect that your coin has altered surfaces.
This is the best I can explain what I see in the photographs. You have the coin in hand. If you see things in hand that still suggest a possible proof to you, it may be worth taking the coin to a nearby show and having some of the dealers there look at it in hand. It also may be worth comparing it side-by-side with an early Buffalo proof.
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Valued Member
United States
175 Posts |
Welcome back @fortcollins, you were missed!
Agreed with many of the assessments, looks like someone treated the coin at some point.
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Thank you @fortcollins! This is great advice and I appreciate your assessment. I've learned to default towards it's not what I think it is. I'm going to take your advice and bring it to a coin show. Happy hunting everyone!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8420 Posts |
First thing I thought when I saw the coin, vinegar coin.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Does vinegar treating a coin normally strip away all luster or would it be possible to leave some luster in tact?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18191 Posts |
Quote:
Does vinegar treating a coin normally strip away all luster or would it be possible to leave some luster in tact? Acetic acid removes surface layers from the coin, so yes it will strip away mint luster. Don't confuse "shiny" with "luster".
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2203 Posts |
Without a doubt treated coin.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Moderator
United States
162150 Posts |
Quote:
Don't confuse "shiny" with "luster". 
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Replies: 21 / Views: 1,553 |
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Posted 03/21/2025 6:31 pm
