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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,196 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Hey everyone, I was asked by a close friend to go through their recently deceased father's coin collection when I came upon the infamous 3-legged Buffalo nickel. Now I know that this particular Buffalo nickel is a pretty rare find and it's also a highly faked coin, so I was hoping to get some of your opinions on this piece. I've already combed through every guide, tutorial, and authentication page I could find about it, and I'm leaning towards it being real but I'm no expert by any stretch of the word. I have some notes to go along with the series of photos -There are some chip marks around the missing leg -The P and the you in the 13 letter motto are not touching the back -The 3 dots below the stomach are missing -The hind leg has metal missing and fading present -The Indian Head has some metal missing on the neck -The scalp and forehead appear to be diverging If you need more photos of different spots, I'm more than happy to oblige. Thanks in advance, your opinion means much to me and my friend! Link to the Photos: http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/c...alo%20NickelEdited by lingua_franca
10/19/2016 1:36 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3058 Posts |
Hmm, Hard to tell on this one!
I'm gonna think about it...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
So far from what I see it looks good. The front leg area looks odd but the rest of the diagnostics look like they are present.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3058 Posts |
I vote genuine but I think it is strange there are those marks by the leg... Tell him he should send it to a third party grader, such as ANACS. Not so much for the grade, but for the authenticity. Here's a photo of a genuine example for comparison:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Looks like it is probably good.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7614 Posts |
It looks legit to me. Might as well send it to a TPG for authentication. I would recommend ANACS cause it's reasonably priced and has a decent turnaround time. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3058 Posts |
Quote:
and has a decent turnaround time.  I have always gotten my package earlier than expected with them. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3058 Posts |
I've only sent coins to them twice though...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
The weak back leg looks right but I can't see the pee stream. Though this is a fairly circulated coin so maybe it wore down or it just doesn't show in the picture? Still, I think it is real but this is absolutely one of those coins you need to send to a TPG to authenticate, at least if you ever want to sell it as being slabbed will get a big premium. I was at a coin show a while back and overheard a dealer saying he could identify an authentic 3-legger from the obverse. I didn't find out how he could do that. Has anyone else ever heard of this and know what to look for? |
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback so far, I'm glad I went through and double checked the coin instead of throwing it to the wayside!
I'll be talking to my friend today and hopefully we can get it sent out for authentication very soon!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Looks good to me as well.  to the CCF! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Looks like the legitimate article to me, too.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Post the photos here please. Easy to do.
Getting past all of the ads on photobucket is not worth the time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Welcome to the CCF.
To be salable, the likely three-legger will need to be certified. The marks are suspicious, and the damage may result in a "details" grade. Good luck!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
Looks good to me and I have one that is slabbed. It looks to be in Fine condition because horn is not distinct. I would send it to one of the grading companies since it could be worth some hundreds of bucks. My three legged 37-D went for about $700 but it was in EF.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
If it didn't have the marks right where the missing leg is, I don't think there would be any doubt. It still looks pretty good though, more likely real than not is my vote. The mintmark looks deformed a little (right side of the "D" is thicker), maybe it took a hit? Nice pictures by the way. Good luck with the submission!
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,196 |
Posted 10/19/2016 2:39 pm
