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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,264 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
 Just won this 1913-D Type II Buffalo from ebay. The coin appears to be very dark. Any idea what the dark stuff is and what I should do about it if anything? The coin apppears to be about a F-12 under all that stuff and I got it at a very low price. In fact I was the only bidder which kind of concerns me. I have a return privilige. The seller claims that the coin is original and hasn't been altered in any way. Of course if I dip it in acetone it is mine regardless of the outcome. Advice? Image:  5021_1.jpg14.02 KB Image: 6948_1.jpg16.16 KB
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
I have a dark buffalo like yours that I got out of a junk bin at my coin shop for .05 (or maybe he have it to me for free). I don't know what it is, it looks like toning to me, but I think it makes it unique from other buffalos.
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
I also question toning of non-silver coins. I looked your auction and the seller says he knows nothing about cleaning but I wouldn't trust his word on that.
IMHO I think you could have gotten a Much better condition example of a 13D T2 for the price you paid.
I'd say send it back and spend time researching prices and comparing several examples before you make a purchase.
Feel free to always ask questions before buying
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1083 Posts |
I never trust any seller Grace. I disagree about the price and believe me I have researched it and watched recent prices for this date. If you have a Gray Sheet or a Coin Values take a look at the price of a 1913_D Type II. The price of a G-4 example is significantly higher than I paid for this coin and I believe this one is a F-12 or better. The price was right provided the toning is not something funky. Thanks for your comments.
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
I have seen a lot of dark buffalo's in my life and most seemed to have been ground recovery coins. For the most part I don't mind a dark buffalo as they are far better than NO buffalo, especially those key dates! My advice would be, if you are happy with the price you paid put it in your collection until you can stumble onto a better example at a fair price. Then you can always set that one back out to pasture so to speak!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
750 Posts |
Looks like shoe polish that has faded and worn off in spots. Just an uneducated guess. I dont think that its toning with the wear showing like it is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
My first guess is that it's corroded, but I would think it would be more brown than black. Unless I was 100% certain that black would come off without harming the coin, I'd send it back. You'll be grateful that you held out of a more eye-appealing, problem-free example.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
I've got both Liberty and Buffalo nickels that have the same kind of coloration. Some of the ones I've got I found with a metal detector and assume the coloration is corrosion from being buried for decades. On some coins, such as the one you're getting, I'd guess some kind of environmental damage. Dealers have suggested that these coins sat in leather coin purses in "grandma's dresser" or some such place, and reacted to the tanning chemicals in the leather. I'm not sure I buy that, on whole, but it at least sounds possible. I would prefer a problem free coin, personally, but, as I said, I've got 'em in my collection, too. So enjoy your coin! In fact, you can go after a whole set!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Thanks everyone for the comments. Hunter, not counting the Three legged 1937-D and the 17/18 overdate, I am ONE coin away from completing my set.. I have a hard time believing that those two striking errors should be included in a date and type set. Especially at the outrageous costs. I only lack the 1913-S Type II and I have my eye on a couple of those. I should get the dark coin today and will post and update my thoughts after seeing it in hand. I have one other older dark Buffalo. It is not corroded, but has a dark patina. So long as the grade is F-12 or better, I don't mind a dark one that has toned naturally. The two Buffs I have dug with my metal detector (neither is good enough to be in this set) the coins had turned orange. Some kind of reaction with the soil and the copper in the coin I would guess.
Colin
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
I get the occasional old nickel (at least 30 years) as change that looks like that. That makes me think it wasn't intentionally done, just something that happens to some circulated nickels in a certain environment.
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Valued Member
United States
367 Posts |
i actually like the dark buffalos I think theve had a harder life the other buffalos..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
I have seen other coins, such as dimes and quarters, come out of the ground in the same condition---DARK! I have tried to clean up a few through the years but Moher Nature had taken her course. Many of them were higher grade coins but none the less black! It would be up to each collector to decide whether or not such a coin is desirable enough to remain in his/her collection but as I said, those key dates are tough to come by!
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Valued Member
United States
342 Posts |
Looks like a detector find to me.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,264 |
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Posted 07/22/2007 11:15 pm
