Buffalo Nickel Series

Basicbob, I too just started to collect Buffalos. I got 2 uncirculated Buffalos today.
I think your idea of starting with the key dates is good because they tend to go up quicker. I'd like to know what other members think about that stragedy.

Strategy for acquiring dates:

A couple of comments; unlimted funds vs a budget & buy quality, do not be in a rush.

I set a monthly coin budget, but bought the Buffalo's when they came available. I was fortunate to have a retired collector/dealer friend who I would give a want list, which included grades. He would search the Chicago area, & monthly we would get a couple on the list.

On wrt prices, some of these will cost some bucks: like.............so some advance planning on funding will help you.
1913 D T2 AU55 $275
1913 S T2 EF $550
1921 S F12 $200
1924 S F12 $110
1926 S VF $150

Ron (ronaldb112)

Yep Terry, after trying to acquire some tougher dates in Fine or Very Fine, I can only conclude that train loads of Buffalo hunters are arriving to shoot the few remaining fairly priced coins in the herd out here on the the Oklahoma Plains. My pasture has about 24 Buffs missing from my herd. Bidding on ebay for problem free coins easily exceeds Gray Sheet and Coin Values prices. I really can't believe what has happened to the lowly Indian Head/Buffalo Nickel that I collected from change in my childhood days. I wonder if these prices will hold up?

My opinion on the acid etch procedure is to not touch any Buffalos that have undergone this indignity.

There have been a few discussions here on Coin Community about this very topic. If you do a Search, you can probably find the threads. Not everyone posting here agrees with me on this question, and there were some pretty lively conversations.

Changing gears a bit, I have done a lot of research on Buffalo nickel value trends over the years, and compared to most other collector coins, they stand near the top in terms of price escalation. This series has maintained true popularity with the collector base for decades, and in all probability, will remain so. My advice is to anyone is to not be afraid to pay good money for properly graded, problem free Buffalos (e.g. acid etched), especially the key dates. They will be worth much more in the not too distant future.

I would suggest before ever using ebay, try garage,yard and estate sales. Also, flea markets. The main thing I always stress is to ask, ask, ask. People just don't want to put coins out on a table at such sales. Not estate auctions but sales. At flea markets you sometimes find people trying to dump a collection they inherited. At one flea market I found a notebook with plastic pages full of Indian Hean Nickels. 228 of them for $80. All in at least EF grades or better. At garage sales I've found coins you wouldn't beleive. If none are available, try checking out coin shows. You can usually find a listing by going to Google and typing in coin shows and your state. If near a border try other states. Coins shows if basically local are decent with prices. Large shows are expensive due to the dealers traveling expenses, lodging, food, etc. I have acumulated several completed sets of Indian (buffalo) Nickels over the years and have many, many duplicates from the above mentioned places. I use the Whitman Albums and hate the stupidity of the addition of error coins such as 3 legged Buffalos and such. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And as more and more error coins are discovered will they add those slots also?

Colin:

I emailed you this weekend, & I would recommend this used book.

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)

Ron (ronaldb112)

I am really enjoying this thread I must say. Hmm - I wonder if Ed Grimley was a Buff collector? As I have acquired more of these coins and placed them in my album, I have noticed quite a number with varying degrees of die rotation. This seems to occur more with dates earlier than 1920. Also thnaks to Ronald for a great book recommendation.

Colin