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 Replies: 42 / Views: 3,551 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Well since I finished my 7070 and a Franklin set, I decided next to try and complete a Buffalo nickel set. I bought a Dansco Album and got out the nickels I had received when I was given my old Mother's collection. There are a few tough dates that I probably will never get unless I win the sweepstakes, like the 1918/7D and the 1916 Doubled Die (I don't know why these are considered part of the set since they are in essence mint errors). Anyway the rest might be in reach in a circulated condition. I have started buying some of the dates on ebay and it struck me that each series has its own set of challenges in acquiring a good set. For the Buffalo or Indian Head Nickel it is rapid wearing of the date. I always believed that a cleaned or "restored" coin was a damaged coin, but these ebay seller brag about restoring their offerings. I presume this is done to bring out the date with an acid wash, but they look horrible to me and I would not want to bid on one. I know there are some experienced Buff Nickel collectors on this forum. Any tips for someone just wading in?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
I certainly don't have the wealth of knowledge of others on this site, but here is my Two Cents: Don't buy them! When I was a kid (circa 1955) I found lots of Buffalo nickels dateless (and lots of good one too!). There was a product called Nicadate that would bring the date back up. I think it worked on the basis of the density of the metal in the various compressed states around the date. I was some sort of acid that left a black residue. I worked but the coin was worthless after that (for collecting that is) but satisfied the curiosity of what you had found. I think any coin that has been restored in any way should be passed on. Wait out the game and get something you can be proud of later. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
By the way, I just started the same set, want to get as close to a full horn on each date as I can afford.
I also don't understand the inclusion of the errors in the album.
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Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
Okie: "date with an acid wash" -------- it's called NIC a date, & I would not buy any Buffalo nickels like that. I finished my Buffalo nickels set a couple of years ago, & did not include the 1918/7D and the 1916 Doubled Die, as they are error coins. & WRT to the "rapid wearing of the date", try to get the Buffalo nickels in at least Fine grade. there are a lot of dealers/EBAY who are selling VG ones with only two digits visable. Ron (ronaldb112) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1541 Posts |
I believe Terry is an expert in Buffalo nickels. This would be a challenging set. Which I might start once I complete the Franklin set. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
quote:
anyone see this as an AU with a full horn?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1937-D-3-Legged...cmdZViewItem
I'm looking at 3-Legs to bid on myself (we might end up bidding against each other)  . Honestly, I wouldn't bid on it unless I managed to get it for a rediculously low price and the seller guarantees authenticity. I only bid on PCGS, NGC or perhaps ANACS. If you're going to bid on anyone else just consider the coin raw and go from there. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
not planning on bidding, just wondering if anyone could see the "full horn" as stated in the listing, also looks pretty scratched up to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
quote:
not planning on bidding, just wondering if anyone could see the "full horn" as stated in the listing, also looks pretty scratched up to me.
Ah, OK. It certainly does not look like full horn to me. I was going to comment on how scratched up it is but I can't tell if that's the coin or the slab. |
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Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
Okie-Colin Here are a couple of Buffalo nickels reference guides that can help you collect this wonderful set. 1. The Complete Guide to Buffalo nickels by David W. Lange, 2nd edition, published by David Lawrence Rare Coins. 208 pages in hardcover (buy used $18) 2. The Complete Guide to Buffalo nickels (3rd ed.) by David W. Lange. Published 2006. The 3rd edition of this popular reference on one of America's favorite collector coin series includes updated values and the latest information on varieties. Among the topics covered are the history of the design, models used, a brief biography of designer James Earle Fraser, how to collect the series, a fantastic photo gallery of errors, counterfeit and altered coins, grading, rarity estimates and proof coinage. A date and mintmark analysis provides variety and rarity info, population report data, current and historical pricing in several grades, photographs and much more. 201 pages. Hard bound. Regularly $43.00 3. A Guide Book of Buffalo and Jefferson nickels by Q. David Bowers. Published 2007. In the 8th volume of Whitman Publishing's Official Red Book Series, America's most popular nickels are presented with the author's usual insightful study, rich historical background and detailed data. Color photographs include enlargements for important overdates and other varieties. Mintages, specifications, certified populations and market values are included for each date and mintmark. The appendices cover error coins, pattern Buffalo nickels, and the chronology of the nickel five cent piece. 277 pages. Soft bound. Regularly $19.95 Ron (ronaldb112) |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1083 Posts |
Thanks Ronald. If I were going to get just one, which would you recommend? I am particualrly interested in market value and scarcity info.
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Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
Okie-Coins:
I am traveling this week, & will be home Chicsgo this weekend & will check my coin library & give you a recommendation.
WRT to rareity, these will be the rareist & hard to find:
1913-S Type 2
1913-D Type 2
1921-S
1926-S
1914-D
1918-D
1924-S
Ron (ronaldb112)
Ron
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
Thanxz for the info Ronald, will be looking for your post on the recommended volume.
I have starte my buffalo set with the 1913 type 1 in BU condition, plan on adding one coin per month. Should not be a problem on the lesser valued ones, may even get two or three, but that will allow me several months to locate the more scare ones to maintain a "1 per month" goal. (Like most goals I set, they somehow don't quite work out the way I want!)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Bob, keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same. I already have 21 dates with ten more dates purchased, but not received yet. My thanks also Ronald and look forward to your book recommendation. Just curious, but you put 1918-D as one of the expensive tough dates, but it looks kind of common next to the other tough dates you listed?
Colin
Colin
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Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
Colin:
I looked at my collection,& the current values & most of these on the list were VF to EF grade, I bought this grade because of the wear factor, probably why the 1918-D is on the list.
Ron
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
Since this thread is about the Buffalo (Indian Head) nickel series, here is a general question to all:
What is the best strategy for completing this set?
In the past I have always targeted the key dates first as they may go up in price more rapidly, in the absence of an acceptable key date on the market at that time I have a fall back list of common dates to fill. Is this a reasonable strategy?
I know one collector who just goes for the dates in order, another who goes from least expensive to most expensive.
any thoughts on how to approach this set?
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Replies: 42 / Views: 3,551 |
Posted 05/29/2007 4:46 pm
