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 Replies: 26 / Views: 2,509 |
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Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
I got this buffalo while doing some nickel roll searching. I am not the expert on the whole "date restoring" process on Buffalo nickels. I'm just curious for my for own educational purposes if anyone thinks this one has been restored or not. If not restored, has it been cleaned? The nickel and date just doesn't look quite right to me, but like I said I'm far from an expert. It definitely has enough of the circulated beat up look to be a good restoration if it is one. What's the verdict? It's a 1918, value isn't really the issue here. I just wanna know if it's been restored or cleaned.   |
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
If restored, the date area will exhibit slight granularity from the chemical. Also a lighter color than rest of coin.
1918 is fairly common.
18-D is a better date.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
This coin looks like a 1916 to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I can't tell if it's restored from the pictures, but I agree it's a 1916. I agree with vermontensium about granularity on restored nickels.
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Pillar of the Community
 1028 Posts |
I'm fairly certain it's a 1918. There happens to be a scratch right on the last number which makes it look funny. I thought it was a 1916 at first too, but I've looked at this thing for a long time and it's a 1918.
The date area does exhibit some granular appearance, but not more so than the rest of the Indian's face. Cleaned nickel coins are not nearly as common as cleaned silver or copper ones, but the coin has the appearance of a cleaned nickel that has re-toned a bit.
I would leave it at that, but a buffalo in this condition, with a full date (albeit weak) ...seems fishy.
The coin in hand might be slightly lighter in color than the pics, but otherwise the picture is fairly representative. I'm almost worried because if this has been restored, its a good enough restoration to probably have fooled me.
Anybody else? I know there's some experts on buffalos on these boards.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
It looks like a 1916 to me as well. Without even looking at the side with scratch, The left side of the "8" is straight down making me believe this is actually a "6"instead of an 8. The "8" would have a very distinct waist.
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Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
I believe it to be a 1918. Even if it is a 1916, do you think its been restored? A 1916 or a 1918 P-minted buffalo in this condition wouldn't exactly attract collector interest. I don't even care which one, I just want to learn if its been restored or cleaned or neither.
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Valued Member
United States
313 Posts |
I'm going to say restored but a long time ago then put back in circulation nick-a-date has been around a long time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I can't tell from these images if it's been cleaned or restored. The surface of a restored Buffalo is very granular or crystalline, like sandpaper, and the color is funny.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Exactly, a dull grey sandblasted appearance.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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New Member
United States
32 Posts |
Quote:
If restored, the date area will exhibit slight granularity from the chemical. Also a lighter color than rest of coin. if the coin was soaked in vinegar, the color wouldn't vary across the coin. this coin looks like several buffaloes I've "dated" in vinegar. color is similar, details are mushy... for what it's worth, I think this coin was vinegar treated. |
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Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
Quote:
I'm going to say restored but a long time ago then put back in circulation nick-a-date has been around a long time. Can you explain why you think this. Not that I disagree, I just would like to know why. Quote:
Exactly, a dull gray sandblasted appearance. What if the date area looks exactly like the rest of the coin? Also wouldn't a cleaned, yet not restored, nickel have the same dull gray sandblasted appearance. For that matter, old well-worn nickels in general have a dull gray kind of sandblasted appearance. That's why this is difficult for me. Silver or copper is always very obvious to me, but nickels are difficult |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
What's it feel like? A normal old nickel feels smooth or slippery, a restored one will feel like fine sandpaper.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
It's fun to find coins like that in change of any kind. If I found that one I'd put it back in change so some little kid could find it.
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Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
Quote:
if the coin was soaked in vinegar, the color wouldn't vary across the coin. this coin looks like several buffaloes I've "dated" in vinegar. color is similar, details are mushy... for what it's worth, I think this coin was vinegar treated. Interesting idea Quote:
What's it feel like? A normal old nickel feels smooth or slippery, a restored one will feel like fine sandpaper. It feels completely smooth, not like sandpaper at all. Once again, I know the coin isn't worth anything, but for argument's sake, does anyone think it's completely original. Edited by hesgut
10/30/2011 8:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
It's original if it feels smooth. A vinegar soaked or nic-a-dated coin will feel weird. It might have corrosion or environmental damage, but I don't think it's been restored.
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Replies: 26 / Views: 2,509 |
Posted 10/29/2011 9:04 pm
