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 Replies: 25 / Views: 3,906 |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
After a long while reading this forum, I finally decided to join. One question I've long wondered about other collectors: Is it common to complete the Liberty nickel collection before the Buffalo nickel? It seems easier and cheaper to complete, which is ironic because they're older. I understand buffalos have the issue of dates fading, which makes them harder to collect. I'm just about done with my liberty collection, but I'm far from completing my buffalo collection. |
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Cheaper? better check out the 1885-P, 1886-P, and 1912-S. Kinda pricey even in low grades. While the only Buffalo's that are high priced are 13-D & 13-S but easier to afford than the aforementioned V nicks.
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Moderator
 United States
34410 Posts |
Quote:
After a long while reading this forum, I finally decided to join.
Glad you've turned from a lurker to an active member! I think that both of those sets have their challenges, but are relatively doable in reasonable condition. Well, doable except for the 1913 Liberty... "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 those are both fun sets. Price wise there is such a huge price increase on higher grade coins that the grades you are after makes a bigger difference than the series. |
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Oh, and by the way - |
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Valued Member
United States
406 Posts |
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New Member
 United States
14 Posts |
Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm holding off on the 85-86 nickels, but I do have the 1912-S. I don't expect to ever own the 1913 unless I win the lottery with tickets I don't buy, so it'll feel complete to me when I get those two key dates. I've found some relatively affordable 1913 Buffalo nickels, but they are always acid treated. As of now, I mostly look for lower-grade circulated currency for my collection. I prefer to think of the history of what each coin was spent on and all the people and places it traveled. At least that's my justification for not spending too much on much nicer examples. The caveat is that I hate to see improperly cleaned or acid treated coins...which means that I need to find much higher grade Buffalo nickels to complete my collection. Liberty nickels, on the other hand, can be in pretty rough shape and still show dates. I suppose that's why I'm seeing such a difference in price. All in due time, I suppose! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
My guess would be that many Buffalo collectors have little interest in either of the somewhat bland-looking Liberty and Jefferson series. to the CCF! Edited by Coinfrog
09/30/2017 5:14 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
Another thing to consider is that the Buffalo nickel was one of the all time favorite designs whereas the Barber coinage was typically seen as being mundane. The coinage made after the Barbers was, if I am not mistaken, made to improve the aesthetic value of our coins. The eye appeal of post Barber coinage means more collectors, hence higher prices. How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
At least until 1932, when it all started to slide downhill again.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
All good points. Stillmcomes down to the "you" as/a collector. What you collect, how youndo it and why for are all up to you. Investment? Hobby? OCD/ adult onset ADD?  . You're the boss, you decide, high grade only, or fill in the blanks any way you can . We're always told, "buy th e coin, not the slab", its what turns YOUR crank! Easier to do the Vs? Then why doni still have a gap between 84 and 93? Or 13S Buff & 27S?...hmmm  Ah, my dilemma, which one do I finish? That's all up to me, I...like...that!  |
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
398 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
to the CCF .... IMHO, Buffs are THE most definitively American coins ever produced. Having put together numerous sets of them over many years of collecting, I would offer a few considerations. Putting a set together in good to fine condition is doable at a reasonable cost for most collectors in today's market. I highly suggest looking for coins that bear a full date and show at least the base of the bison's horn. Tempting as it may be to plug those empty album holes, avoid buying fillers that are damaged, discolored or acid treated. Take your time to piece a well-matched set together. While the error coins, overdates and other varieties are interesting, focus on completing a basic set. Take your album to coin shows and comparison shop. In time, you will complete a set that you can then truly appreciate over the years and one that will retain true value. One last thought. Consider assembling a personal "grading set" to train your eye. The set might consist of one nickel each in AG, G, VG, F, VF, XF, AU and Unc. Good luck  |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
Awesome ideas, ExoGuy! That's exactly what I had in mind. I agree that error coins are interesting, but not something I need to have right now.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
For the more scarce Buffs such as 1921-S, 24-S, and 26-S if you can collect them in at least VF condition you will have coins that are just at the point where the coins start to really get expensive and yet these VF coins are so much better than the ones in just good condition. I would like to have only Buffs with full horn but those usually are at least EF condition and can really get expensive as in close to $1000 for some.
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Replies: 25 / Views: 3,906 |
Posted 09/30/2017 1:47 pm
