1914 Buffalo Indian Nickel. Grade Opinion

Will do. Be here tomorrow...10/2

Noticed a little MD on the date...unless it's just light reflecting. Will know soon.

Very attractive. I'm at MS63

I hate to say this, but I think some of those scratches indicate some sort of cleaning was involved. If you love the coin, love it for what it is, not what it could be. Not every coin has to be slabbed. Just my 2 cents.

Ok merclover. I hear you. Are you talking about the small almost same direction thin scratches that are seen if looking closely? As if someone was cleaning/polishing the coin? Because in hand it has an unreal luster. Almost a polished look. But just not sure because I don't have enough time and experience to compare to. But common sense does come into play. It is a nice coin without doubt.

But I will say this...the dealer I got this from, as well as a couple other coins from him, have me wondering. They look great in hand. But almost too good. I am going to get them graded. It's ok. I need to know for sure. I always said from the beginning, I am going to learn from the misses. I don't want cleaned coins, though that is not a coin sin, if done right, and for the right reasons...deception not being one of them. So I will see how this turns out.

And agree, not all need to be slabbed. I have many that won't be. Nice but not worth it. The coins are still nice examples. And, many that will be graded.

But good eye, and valid concern. We will see what happens. Thanks for the heads up. And my purchasing from this dealer is on hold until I can confirm cleaned or not cleaned. What I don't understand, is thousands of feedbacks, and not one negative saying "bought from this dealer, came back DETAILS...Cleaned" Only two negatives...none for coin condition issues. Find that hard to understand if he is cleaning his coins. I have seen negative feedbacks from other buyers stating that exact issue. Graded...CLEANED...avoid this seller if you plan on grading. But again, we will see. No doubt the TPG's will set the record straight.

And...never 'hate to tell me'. lol. I come here because I want to know. Most in this community are not shy in how they see it, and let you know. Lol And I have a slew of coins I possess, and more coming, that I will be posting over time. I expect "yay, nice one!"...to "Uhh...dude, bury it! Clean out your eyes! Geez". Yea...I can take it though. Lol

I also got a digital microscope to look for these things, though I do not claim to know what I'm looking at/for, other than the obvious. Took a direct picture of screen to show the MD on the date. I attached just for an FYI (see below). Will look this coin over to for evidence of scratches or abrasions showing cleaning. Yea...I know what I'm looking for. Haha Well...I will try.

So your comment upheld what I quietly felt may be the case. So please...fire at will when you see a concern. Thanks again.

Your coin may have been dipped but not cleaned, there is a difference. MS-64

@Indian...Does dipping cause dulling of cartwheeling luster? I took it out of its holder. I mean this thing looks really good. I read that dipping ruins the molecularly thin luster that is from the high pressure of the minting process. Also dipping supposedly turns copper a dull orange tone. Or makes any coin grainy.

If dipping made this coin look this good, with the iridescent gold tones still there, emanating in all directions depending on light, then the only way to know I imagine is TPG expertise, or more likely PCGS sniffing methods I hear about. Where they have the technology to detect chemicals that are used to clean/alter coins. It is possible this coin was dipped and then polished. It is shiny and has a very smooth texture between the fingers. Almost creamy feeling (ok...I need to stop now. ) Lol. But again...incredible cartwheeling luster with subtle iridescent gold tones remaining? None of that disturbed? I need to dip all my coins if that's the result. Lol JK Not happening.

I will concede though that the edges of this buffalo look so good, it makes me wonder. Was it preserved that well for over a 100 years? With minimal circulation? A goldish tone as well. So...a great example that will tell us all a lot once graded. I will post it after graded, and commence my reaction Lol

I said on a number of threads, this is my learning curve. I'm going to see how all these grading's pan out. It's not a waste of money from my point of view. I am just fine. It's worth the learning that will ensue.

It will be very interesting to get a DETAILS grade on a coin that looks this good in hand. It's not fair really to expect everyone to have all the info via pictures. I do my best with what I have, and will get better gear and techniques as time goes on. I saw a number of videos on YouTube of elaborate set ups of folks trying to get that perfect coin photo shot. It is a science and understanding of how light works. So my efforts at home are limited at best. Cave man techniques really.

I'm looking to see if I can convert my pictures to .gif's to allow posting like a picture, and then folks could see the lights affect on the coin (luster, etc.).

Anyway...I always appreciate all angles and opinions on what I post. Keep um coming. Makes my brain housing group work harder trying to get a more rounded knowledge base for this very cool coin adventure. You guys have swayed my plans/decisions quite a bit. Thanks again. Done rambling...