What Would Pay For A 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo?

Yup, I would ask for it to be slabbed first

It's also usually very easy to spot altered pieces since you practically have to rework almost the entire reverse of the coin to do it right.

What would I pay for one? About three dollars. I have no great interest in an overpolished late die state of a coin that isn't a variety or even a die variety.

Got to agree with Conder, I think the inclusion of the three legged Buffalo in a set or album is all just a marketing ploy. A coin that is the result of an over polished die is not a variety and should not be required to complete a set. I feel the same way about the 1922 NO D Lincoln Cent. Over stamped dates I am a little more ambivalent about. I think the 1918/7 Buffalo is an error. Why include just this over struck date as there are others that have been discovered in the Buffalo series that aren't included? What gives with that? If this is the result of an accident, as it almost always is in modern coinage, than I say leave it out.

In older type coins such as Large cents, over strikes were usually intentional in order to continue the use of dies that had not worn out. In my mind that makes them a valid variety, technically required to complete a set. They were intentionally produced.

The nice thing about coin collecting is we have the right to personally define what we require to complete a set. It cost enough just to obtain the keys without having to chase outrageously priced errors as if they were necessary to complete a set. Error collecting is a valid pursuit in numismatics, but error coins should not be required in a regular date and mint mark set.

Maybe this should be a separate thread? Peace.

I agree with everyone else. Have him get it authenticated and then buy it if it is not a fake.

I don't see any difference between the overpolishing of a die by mint employees than the mis alignment of a die to make Double dies or repunched or over punched dates or mint marks. They are all mint mistakes and are usually at a premium to the normal. Why would a manufacturer of albums put the hole there if their customers didn't want it? They get no gain from it. They used to make blank albums for those who wanted to make their own. I certainly don't see any marketing scam in any of this. If you want to mention marketing scams, the last decade of mint offerings certainly fits that description! But I am Ok with that because I think the coin marketeering of the Treasury along with the rise in hard assets against the decaying US$ has saved coin collecting interest from the decrease seen in stamp collecting. JMHO

Jim

It's still a desirable coin. Have your coin dealer send it in before you make a purchase. Protect yourself. If he does not want to, walk away. Just my opinion.