1918/17 Buffalo Nickel Question - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 5,412
Texas collector Valued Member United States 369 Posts	Posted 11/13/2008 01:47 am I recently bought ten dateless Buffalo nickels. I'm trying to use vinegar to expose the dates, and so far it's working. I've got a 1929 D, 1920, 1919, 1918, 1916, 1916 D, 1913 Var 1, 1913 D var1, and the rest are still soaking. But, tonight I pulled one out to check it, and it looked like a 1913 Var 2. But as I looked longer under magnification the 3 began to look like an 8, and the top of that number was flat, like a 3 or a 7. I looked in the Red Book for a pic to help me, and I noticed the 1918/17 error. Then I looked at my nickel and the top of the last number looks doubled to me. It's too worn to tell for sure though. Another problem is that I can't see a clear D on the reverse, since the rim has been flattened over where the D would be. I think I see a faint D, but I'm just not sure. So, my question is: does anyone know how to ID one of these in this bad a condition, or does anyone have a pic of one in worn shape. Thank you. Report this Post to the Staff

coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 11/13/2008 07:23 am First thing is to make sure it's a D. That's the only mint that issued the 1918/7 VARIETY (not error). Second thing....on the 1918/7D nickel, the top of the 8 will be somewhat flat, but it's a bad place to look. The place to look is inside the loops of the 8. On a normal nickel they will be more or less round, slightly teardrop shaped. On the variety, both the top and bottom will be half moon semicircles instead of 'circles'. Here's a photo I took of one in F12 condition. Edited by coppercoins 11/13/2008 07:25 am Report this Post to the Staff
TreasHunt Pillar of the Community United States 2540 Posts	Posted 11/13/2008 07:31 am Did you try the vinegar on the reverse to try to bring out the MM? Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 11/13/2008 11:53 am There is also a die crack that appears on the obv which is often visible even on dateless specimens. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to find pictures of the die crack since everyone wants to focus on the date. It is faint but it can be seen on the picture that Charles posted. It runs from a little below the center of the top braid to that nick on the indian's jaw. (There seems to be light colored line running from the bottom of that braid towards the corner of the mouth. That's not it. The crack is above that line.) The deep recess between the braid and the jaw tends to protec the crack from wear which is why it is still visible on low grade coins. Report this Post to the Staff
Texas collector Valued Member United States 369 Posts	Posted 11/14/2008 01:40 am First, thanks for the help everyone. When I first checked it tonight, it looked like a 1913, again. But, again, the more I looked, the more weird it started to look. I have it soaking reverse side up now, so maybe a mm will show. Also, if I was looking in the right spot, I do see a line where Conder101 described the die crack to be. But, like the rest of the coin, I'm not 100% sure. Is the die crack only on the 1918/17 variety (thanks for the clarification), or is that on any 1918? Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 4 / Views: 5,412

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