Buy Or Pass?

Given the three choices...

The first one is a no go, while the second one would probably fit right in with my collection.

For me, the third one (the one you actually bought) is too risky for an online purchase. That being said, I have several with dates that do not show in photos (just like that one); however, the date is clear under a loupe with the right ligating. I hope this is the case. If so, it would be a decent deal.

He has a 14 day return policy and 100% positive feedback, so I am not too worried. I will simply return it if I get it in hand and the date cannot be made out. Zooming in on one of his pictures, though, I feel fairly confident it was a 13. I think the bad pictures really helped me to get a decent deal. To me, this was a pretty low-risk purchase. Can't wait to get it in hand. Will post pictures when I do.

i mean, with time and patience, at 12 mos $50 pr mo or 6 mos $100 pr mo savings, you could buy an EF to Au range coin. You had the first months savings in this coin. Heck, you could have waited, saved and in 3 to 5 months had at least an original VF specimen. I struggle to understand the decision making process in these situations.

It's like every time I see someone post 30 new additions at $5 avg. each for a month. Why not buy one really nice legit coin for the collection at the end of the month? at the end of 12 months you have the makings of a serious collection of note rather than a pile of junk.

And if anyone gets offended, I'm sorry, but a spade is a spade. I'm far from rich and I'm far from thinking I am an above average collector but I save for 3 to 6 months, buy a coin. I seek dealers nationally who take layaway, offer "$X", non-refundable if I back out and bide my time. I have two multi-hundred dollar coins on layaway right now from two different dealers in different parts of the country. I send each one $25 to $50 pr month. In a few short months I will have two lovely higher end coins in my collection. I guess I have more patience, who knows.

Rant over.

Buffaloes are a tough series to collect. key or semi-key I would not buy one unless it was at least full date G-06. otherwise I would do without it. But like you say , Everyone has their own Idea of how they want their set to look like.

I think if you collect a decent set of Buffalo nickels and hold onto it for more than just a few years I think you will make some money when you sell it. The image is iconic just like Walking Liberty or the Saint-Gaudens image.

Got my coin in the mail today. I think I made a very, very good purchase. Definitely got a good deal due to a poor picture. The date is very clearly 1913 in hand, didn't have to look under a loupe or anything. You can see almost the entire 3 and at least parts of the other digits. Will post pictures when I get home tonight. Very, very happy with this coin.

Here is a better picture of the observe. As you can see, very clear date.

Wow, big win, WTG !