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

Well, I find this thread interesting, both for the original question and the tangent that numerous people went off on. First, to gobulls, to answer your question, $750 is a reasonable price for a 3-legger in Fine condition. If it is slabbed, that price will likely escalate. You should make sure it's authentic, and has not been cleaned or otherwise damaged before springing for that much, though. The 3-legged Buffalo is not particularly rare but is in demand as a lot of collectors have only one Buffalo and that is a 3-legger.

As for the merits of the 3-legger, although I expect to acquire one some day as part of my Buffalo collection, I do not have one yet and I am in no hurry as they are relatively available. I understand the skepticism as to the coin's merits, but I admit that I find the story of the overpolished die and the resulting three legs interesting. I respect a collector who considers his collection complete without one and I wish their prices were more in line with their rarity, but in the end, I expect I will acquire one.

Can you tell if a 3-legged Buffalo nickel is authentic from a picure?

SOrry for the repeat question, still getting used ot the board!

Welcome Rivkah,

A photo might at least keep the opinion as "possible" as there are certain things that should be there and possibly you would show some that shouldn't be there. If anyone see either of the two , they could give you that. So bring it on!

Jim

Back in the sixties I did roll searching of nickels and probably had a hundred three-legged Buffalo nickels go through my hands. I would throw one in to sweeten a deal.

"And a three-legged Buffalo nickel, too."

"Cool! Let me see."

I wonder how long it would take me to find one now.

" Mine is slabbed ANACS VF-20, EF Details, but cleaned and I paid $500 for it several years ago."

Man that is one expensive, weak die error coin. I would rather have a MS65-D four legged, well struck Buffalo and it would be a lot less expensive too.

No problem Symphonic. That is the good thing about coins, we all get to collect what we like. Welcome to the forum!

If you really want one that is not a bad price. HOWEVER, as already noted have the dealer get it authenticated first. There are many, many fakes of that around. Back when we were kids and Buffalo nickels were the norm we used to use an electric eraser and delete that leg on many of those for the fun of it. We were getting really good at it too. I have many of the real ones from back then since, like I said, those type of Nickels were common when I was a kid. The Jefferson nickels were the rareaty then.
As kids we also removed the D on many 1922 Cents and doctored up almost any coin that were fun to mess with. Deleting parts of dates, different legs on those Buffalos, scratching mustaches on Liberty coins was all in a days fun.
Now as an adult I always wonder who has all those coins we messed up.
So make sure you have any rare coins verified.