What Is Restored Date On Buffalo Nickels?

That's when the area around a nickel's worn date is etched with an acid-based product to make the date visible.

Is this like a common specific thing with Buffalo nickles to have their dates worn off? I've read on here somewhere about "dateless" Buffalo nickles. Are these just nickles with worn off dates or nickles that were literally minted without dates?

And on the same note, why is it hard to find really good quality Walking Liberty halves and quarters? Most of the ones I've seen have always been really worn.

I am shocked with the condition of older halves as well. Seems like people used halves back in the day, but they don't anymore. I am doing my part to bring them back!

-SWUSC

Most coin shops and online retailers will carry Nic-a-date.

Well there was this thing called The Great Depression. Unemployment was running 25% and most people have very little money and a quarter or half dollar was a SIGNIFICANT amount of money. So they went not saved but were spent again and again and again. (Think about it. How many of you have fifty dollar bill jugs? That's about what it would have like to toss back half dollars back then.) So anyway that meant that coins from the teens, twenties, and thirties which ordinarily would have eventually been squirreled away instead STAYED in circulation much longed than they normally would have and became more worn.

clembo are you on real cent?

No but I'd check it out. Gotta link?

I've been getting 25 to 35 cents on the dollar for Buffalo nickels that I've used vinegar on to bring back the date. It leaves a more pleasant look than Nic-A-date or similar. I just recovered a 1913D tyII that way and as it is a reeeeallly desireable date it may go for as much as $55-60; all that for a coin purchased for .25. And before anyone flips, I totally disclose that they are chemically altered/altered surface type coins when I sell them.