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 Replies: 10 / Views: 18,380 |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
I've accuired a bunch of coins and one of them is a 1938 "die struck" (on the paper holder) Buffalo nickel. It is app. 3/8" wide, which is less than half the size of a regular nickel. It has amazing detail for being so tiny, with E Pluribus Unum and underneath words, "United States of America". On the front is just like a real nickel with "Liberty" on the edge next to the face of the Indian. Date is 1938, with no mint mark that I have seen. Is this what is called a fantasy coin that I read about here? Or is this an actual mint die struck sample? Thanks for any advice. -James |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
To be honest I can't help you off the top of my head, but I would recommend a picture post to help everyone if you have a camera or scanner.
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New Member
 United States
8 Posts |
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New Member
United States
23 Posts |
Sorry, It's simply a novelty item....not a real Buffalo nickel.... -Paul |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Paul, I figured as much, and it is still kinda cool. Thanks for the information. I appreciate the responses. -James
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Valued Member
United States
270 Posts |
where did you get it from, thats really cool looking.
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Valued Member
United States
270 Posts |
what size is it compared to a dime?
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Here's a picture with a 1937 dime. I couldn't find a '38 in my collection :) This thing is really tiny. I aquired it from a friend a while back. I traded him a computer for a coin collection, probably 11 years ago. Wow, time flies!!! Image:  nickel_dime.jpg68.89 KB |
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
James -
There is an electromagnetic process that shrinks coins. The output looks like what you've got. Google "quarter shrinking" and you'll find a good description of the process. No metal is lost - your nickel should be a lot thicker and weigh the same as an ordinary nickel, but is smaller in diameter. As n_sandler4 said, it is a novelty item and from a numismatic point of view is just a damaged coin.
- Sam
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Hey Sam,
Thanks for the info. After checking it out, it's surely not shrunk. The preportionates are too clean. The weight is proportionate to the size, as well as the thickness. It appears as if the "Quarter Shrinking" process distorts the coin. This is perfectly "die-struck" in appearance. The pictures really don't do it justice. It's thinner than a dime and lighter than air. Haha. I'll take it to work and weigh it, if I can find a scale small enough.
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
James -
After looking at your pictures and the "quarter shrinking" web site again, I agree, the shrinking process doesn't seem to be what has happened here - especially if the thickness is correctly proportional to the diameter of the coin.
- Sam
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Replies: 10 / Views: 18,380 |
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Posted 03/11/2007 4:43 pm
1938_tiny_nickel_front.jpg
1938_tiny_nickel_back.jpg
nickel_dime.jpg
