Another Buffalo Nickel Thread - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 25 / Views: 3,368	Page: of 2
Collects82 Pillar of the Community United States 1316 Posts	Posted 08/25/2020 6:36 pm The other Buffalo nickel thread currently active, "I really like coins with a bison", may have FINALLY" triggered my "need" and desire to build my own Buffalo nickel set. Those who know me and my general interests and passions for the bison often assume the Buffalo nickel is already my area of expertise, but alas, I've been doing the hoard of '82s for the last many years. I have a few Buffalos, nothing crazy special numismatically to blow anyone's minds here, but I'll consider it as my starting point. Included are a few pieces I inherited from my grandfather, who passed away before I was born and some coins are about all I have of him, plus some pieces gifted from my parents when I was a teenager (my mother has since passed); and a few pieces that were among my first hard earned coins when I was teenage noobie in the hobby without much of a clue, but more than enough excitement to try anyways. So for sentimental reasons, what I do have means a lot to me. I wanted to ask for those in the know, is there some Buffalo nickel specific collecting advice that can be shared. I understand on the high level of general collecting to get the best that is affordable, eye appeal, avoid Details, etc. Regarding this series specifically, however, what have you learned? It seems that a full date on the front and a full horn on the back is where to aim for circulates pieces? And in the keys to be wary of acid treated dates. When it comes to the top varieties like 1916 DDO, 1918/17, 1937 3 Legged how much should I care about those? As they can be $1k plus for "entry level" that aren't acid treated. In my time with the 82s, I've opened Pandora's Box a little with VAM and Snows; how tempting will I find other varieties in this series (I know the last few years of the series have a bunch of RPMs to temp me). For the "common stuff" are slabbed MS63ish a fair target and I slowly work in that range, dip into the VF-XF as needed for budget reasons and only F and below on the few where I need to remember I have other priorities like a happy wife? What else? Anyways, here is my start. Only one is UNC, a pretty 1938 D/D that's developed a little golden toning, it was a Christmas gift ca 1998 when I was about 16. The others a rather typical circulated pieces I suppose. Cheers and thank you in advance for the kind direction and inspiration. I am truly exciteD to slowly build this out over the next many years. (Don't worry, the 82s isn't ending!) Report this Post to the Staff

hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/25/2020 6:44 pm Welcome to the "Bison" lovers club. My bison nickel collection was over 50% from the junk bin at the coin shop. I paid .75 cents for each with a full date. If you want a low cost set, that junk bin maybe a smart move :) no go out and buy some bison!! PS the animal isn't a buffalo It's a bison My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
Ty2020b Pillar of the Community United States 4680 Posts	Posted 08/25/2020 8:25 pm I'm going to start by ignoring hfjacinto's comment about bison . Welcome to the crazy world of buffs! I would start by doing as much research as possible before jumping in. Buffalos can be tricky. Due to the design, striking issues and die issues/wear are big factors in this series. There are also a lot of price jumps across the board , even on lower MS. One bit of advice....strike, strike, and strike. There are so many MS-63 to 65 buffs out there with horrible strikes and mushy devices. I would much rather have a fully struck AU-58 than a weak, mushy MS-63. Just my preference. There is a very fine line between AU and UNC buffs if you're buying raw, so again, really really studying this series will help. As far as what to include in your set, up to you! I've completed a couple sets of circulated buffs and tried to stick with a relatively uniform grade amongst coins ( for eye appeal purposes in the Dansco). I'm a little over 2/3's the way done with a high AU-UNC set and will be leaving the 1916 DDO out for obvious reasons ( wish I could afford an UNC 16 DDO). At the end of the day, completing a lower grade, consistent looking set that was bought at a bargain price in the junk bin is just as rewarding ( maybe slightly less ) than finishing up an UNC set. Best of luck and enjoy the journey! Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/25/2020 8:32 pm Bison people! There are no buffalos in America :) Did I tell how nice a full Bison nickel Dansco album looks :) My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
Ty2020b Pillar of the Community United States 4680 Posts	Posted 08/25/2020 8:36 pm Not as nice as a Buffalo nickel Dansco album looks!! Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 11:29 am Even Anacs says they are bison My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
westernsky Pillar of the Community United States 7617 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 11:39 am Do the junk bins first. Take your time. Enjoy the ride. Some dealers will be glad to see you and cut you a deal if they know you will buy them out! My only stipulation going that route is that coins were sorted by cull, no dates, part dates and full dates. I priced the groups accordingly. If they did not want to go that route I would sample the herd and come up with a number that worked for me. Over the past 40+ years I've bought thousands upon thousands of junk bin Buffs from local shops and at shows. The only coin I have NOT found in a junk bin has been the 16/16 over date. (I still don't have one but I'm still looking!) Learn the varieties and you will find them. I've pulled many 1935 DDR coins and 1936-D 3 1/2 leggers. Some of the varieties are popular, some are not. I keep what I like and resell what does not appeal to me. My biggest downfall has been saving ALL the 1938-D coins I've found. Last count I have somewhere around 6000 of them. I'm addicted to that date for some reason. My best advice is enjoy the hobby and take a break when you get bored or frustrated. Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 11:55 am This is my Junk Bin Bison collection, only a few (mostly S mint) I didn't get from the junk bin. I have nicer coins, but I liked that I was able to do this one at a low cost. Please notice the use of Proof Bison's for the error coins. My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188026 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 12:37 pm Nice start! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Collects82 Pillar of the Community United States 1316 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 9:03 pm Thank you for the advice. I'm jealous of your finds already! I love that even a well circulated set is still a collection of beautiful coins! Regarding Buffalo/Bison, they are Buffalo nickels until the 'woke' social media justice warriors point to the technicalities of science and the protesters win. Tradition holds until then :P Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/26/2020 9:48 pm Quote: I love that even a well circulated set is still a collection of beautiful coins! I am actually more proud of those Bison Nickels than I am of my BU American Silver Eagle. Yes the silver eagles are worth more, but I just purchased those. The Bison Nickels I actually spent hours looking through various coin shop junk bins. Only you can decide what you want but I really like that set. My only criteria was no details coins and a full date. Some of the dates are easier to see then others, the 1913 S V2 I can only see the date with a light from one angle but its there. Good luck and keep us informed of your collection! My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Edited by hfjacinto 08/26/2020 9:51 pm Report this Post to the Staff
KYCopperCoins Pillar of the Community United States 1361 Posts	Posted 08/27/2020 12:04 am Nice Buffalo nickel album hfjacinto. P.S. It says so on the front of it!! Report this Post to the Staff
T-BOP Rest in Peace United States 18456 Posts	Posted 08/27/2020 08:55 am Quote: Nice Buffalo nickel album hfjacinto. P.S. It says so on the front of it!! You know we are going to be ribbing you on this for a long time ! Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7273 Posts	Posted 08/27/2020 08:59 am You all can keep on ribbing. I'm sticking with Bison MOOOO MOOOO (do bison even Moo) My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 08/27/2020 1:30 pm Quote: Bison people! There are no buffalos in America :) Not true. Ever go to the zoo? Lots of Buffalos there. And aren't they really Indian Head Nickels? And what you show is a typical Dansco Album where they didn't know how to end the set so they left lots of blank slots at the end. Most companies also add the 3 legged variety. Some also add the 18/17D one also. This is about as nuts as the companies that put slots in Albums for the 22 plain Lincoln Cent. Error coins should not be part of an Album. Report this Post to the Staff
T-BOP Rest in Peace United States 18456 Posts	Posted 08/27/2020 1:34 pm Report this Post to the Staff
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