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 Replies: 20 / Views: 17,966 |
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
I took my sons to my grandmother's house today and she gave my 11 year old a giant Buffalo nickel (she also has a giant quarter which he did not want  ). He is very curious to know more about it. Where it was made, what it is made of, and any history about it, or whatever else anyone knows about it. We have sense enough to know that it is not a real coin and did not come from the U.S. Mint, but that is all we know, and she didn't know where she got it because it was "so long ago". I am just going to scan it with a quarter for size comparison. Image:  giantbuffalo.jpg87.41 KB |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1943 Posts |
These are novelty pieces. I have even seen some used as coasters for drinks.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Ment as just novelties and many, many were used as coasters for drinks. One gas station by my house used to sell them for $1 each. There was one for almost every denomination and for each type. Example there was a Mercury dime one with a date of 1916D, Lincoln Cent with a 1909S VDB, etc. Also, Indian Head cents, Jefferson nickels and on and on. I used to have about 20 of them but gave them all away to a YN some years ago. Haven't seen them for many years now. Not good for drink coasters since the glasses slide off. |
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Valued Member
 United States
52 Posts |
We just wondered if they were made for some real reason other than a novelty, and if they had any interesting history behind them. Thank you for your answers!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have also seen them used as paper weights. as for why they were made I have no idea nor do I know if it was limited to one company making them (chances are there were a few different companies making the same type of huge coins)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
187862 Posts |
Many years ago I had a set of coasters I got as a present. There was an Indian Head cent, a Lincoln Cent, and a Buffalo nickel. The cents were actually "brass" coloured and not the normal "copper" one would expect. Since they were made as coasters, they are obverse only; the backs had felt pads on them. I might even still have them tucked away in a box. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
580 Posts |
Imagine trying to fit that bad boy into your pocket.  |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
These are in every gift shop in Reno. It's funny, the ones in the gift shops are all keys: 16-D Merc.,1877 1C, 1918/17-D 5C!  swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
You can still find these on your travels.......I do !....(but I've never bought one)
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Rest in Peace
United States
1501 Posts |
Go figure! something eaglefoot wouldn't purchase in my collection. Looks like I'm more tempted by the shiny objects than he is!  Anyhoo it may just be a novelty piece, but if it brings JOY to your 11 year old son then that's that. Although mine isn't a Buffalo Nickel, it still brings a smile to my face when I get it out. Plus I don't have to squint to read the date!   |
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
He does think that it is pretty neat, if only the large cents (not the novelty ones) that he likes so well were that cheap...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
jbuck you may want to peel off a little on the reverse of one to see if there is a reverse on those. Possibly someone added the felt pads to stop them from scratching funiture.
I don't have any now but I think I remember one was even a $20 Gold piece, colored Gold and dated 1833. Don't see them anywhere anymore. Not even at coin shows. Would be kind of interesting to find out who made them and why and why stopped manufacturing them.
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Moderator
United States
187862 Posts |
Quote:
jbuck you may want to peel off a little on the reverse of one to see if there is a reverse on those. Possibly someone added the felt pads to stop them from scratching funiture. The backs are flat smooth. Each one has three or four circular pads; not one pad covering it all. I keep wanting to go through the storage boxes to find them, but the kid keeps me busy when I am at home. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Quote:
Go figure! something eaglefoot wouldn't purchase in my collection. Looks like I'm more tempted by the shiny objects than he is!
Funny stuff there !...  ......Hee Hee LoL !.. ...  And yeah.... Coinaholic .....there isn't much in U.S. Mint coinage that I "won't" buy !..  ......that's for sure. But, I've just looked at those "coasters" as gaudy novelties that I didn't want .....even as a small kid when I first saw them....they just didn't ever do anything fer' me ! Now....if you REALLY put a shine on one.....and the "sparkly light" caught my peripheral vision at just the right time....  .. Sidenote......*****I'm about to "receive" (end of this week) many things from Prethen's collection that are shiny and very intersting !... Edited by eaglefoot
08/05/2008 12:07 pm
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Valued Member
United States
202 Posts |
I used to love buying these things as a little kid. I got a nice assortment from various drugstores that I used to go to. I never really understood why people would give me weird looks when I would try to buy things with them though. Edited by cabomhn
08/05/2008 12:12 pm
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Replies: 20 / Views: 17,966 |
giantbuffalo.jpg
Posted 07/31/2008 09:18 am
