1913 Type 1 Buffalo Nickel #2 - 1913 DDR-002 (Fs-1802)

XF poss cleaned

I'll say AU-50, but pics aren't entirely clear.

You cherrypicked one of the really tough Buff varieties, my friend. This is 1913 DDR-002 (FS-1802).

There is evidence of light wear on the hair, braid, knot, date, and cheek and on the buffalo's head, horn, front shoulder, and flank. The contact marks on the obverse are a bit distracting. It has a typical type I strike, showing weakness on LIBERTY, the date, horn, beard, and tail. It's a solid AU, either AU-53 or AU-55.

Your purchase price was a little below Greysheet, right in the ballpark for a generic 1913 Type I, but with the DDR, you did very well. It may not be a walkoff grand slam, but it's definitely a walkoff game-winning single.

There is one auction record of an 1913 FS-1802 in AU55 for $288.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/buffalo-ni...bnail-071515

And one auction record of the same in AU details cleaned at $204.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/buffalo-ni...bnail-071515

I'll stick with AU-50 tops, leaning toward EF-45.

You have it! The Variety Vista example is an earlier die state. Your coin is a later die state, with a deteriorated die. What you are seeing NW from the primary lettering is Machine Doubling. It is possible to have both machine doubling and a doubled die.

The clincher is three of the unmistakable markers:

Notice the double die gouges inside the lower part of the "E". This is readily visible on the VV and Wexler coins. The die chip inside the loop of the "R" in AMERICA is another sure marker. Though blurry, you have the doubled right vertical of the first "N" in UNUM. Notice also the subtle doubling to the east of the upright on the "P" of PLURIBUS.


The die crack from the last "S" of STATES through the dot to the "O" in OF is a clear marker. You also have the die chip between the "O": and "F: in OF. These match the VV and Wexler markers.


VV mentions this marker, but doesn't have a photo of it. Wexler has a photo, but it is too close to see the marker very well. It matches the doubling I have seen on this variety. There is doubling on the hair on the back of the buffalo's neck. Ignore the marks in the field. The doubling you are looking for is on the hair at the very top of the head and neck. It's there, but worn.

Might have another example but not sure what do you all think?. This ones as tough as the 1931-S 802 in figuring out.