1938 D/D Buffalo Nickle For Your Grading Pleasure.

MS66

Looks like RPM-001
http://www.varietyvista.com/03%20Bu...8DRPM001.htm

Nice coin!

In general, 1938-D is a well-struck date, though there was pressure to squeeze the maximum number of strikes out of dies because it was the last year of the series. Your coin shows the heavy metal flow lines of a late middle die state. The overall strike is average to slightly weak.

The obverse is decently struck, especially for the peripheral devices. The date is sharp and LIBERTY is fairly sharp. The central devices are weaker, with some loss of detail on the first and second feathers, significant weakness on the third feather, weak hairline at the cheek, and some weakness in the hair and braid. I don't see enough weakness on the obverse to deduct points from the technical grade. That said, the obverse has some problematic bag marks. There are rim dings at 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and a possible rim dent at 4 o'clock. There are a series of north-south scratches from the central neck north to the hair even with the Indian's nose. There is one sharp but short gouge in the hair directly above the braid. Multiple small scratches cover the high points of the cheek. The obverse likely would grade MS 65, but barely.

The reverse is a weaker strike than the obverse. There is a split tail, but it is weak. There is weakness on the buffalo's head, beard, and left rear leg. There is a significant loss of detail above the front shoulder. I initially was concerned that there might be slight wear on the Buffalo's rear flank and back, but I played with contrast and color on your photos, and believe that the luster is consistent on those spots. There appears to be some toning, but no wear in those spots. There are quite a few bag marks on the reverse. A patch of small NW-SE scratches coves the center of the Buffalo's back. Two short, but sharp gouges are on the Buffalo's belly, directly west of the rear skin fold and almost dead center on the back. A third gouge runs NW-SE into the design recess on the front left leg. The weaker strike caps the reverse at MS 64.

I see the blended grade as MS 64 because of the reverse weakness resolving doubts downward. For the 1938-DF D/D varieties, there isn't much difference in net value between a 64 and a 65 (around $15).

Again, nice looking coin, and a great example of a collectible variety. Thanks for sharing your coin with us!

MS64+