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Posted 11/05/2020 2:28 pm
These are such beautiful coins, aren't they! I recently got back into some US Classic sets and am focusing on these with my daughter.
Relative the Buffalo series:
1. I'd put the piece you found at around maybe VF/XF. Its not UNC, which is very limiting on its value, but it is still a well preserved and specimen to be proud of.
2. Overall, a lot of Buffalos were minted during its 25 year run. General supply is not an issue within the hobby. There are only a handful of date/mint combos that are scarce, or maybe just scarce within the series.
3. Note that for the pieces from the 1930s, these tend to again, be the most common, and most carry the least of any premium. UNC pieces, even in MS65 can be had for under $100. Any dealer has a bin of 1930s buffalos for $1-2/coin in their bargain section.
4. Being at the end of the series, maybe a lot of people kept what was already a highly minted coin, such that even in high grades, there are A LOT of them. Check out a local show and you'll surely find a bunch of pretty Buffaloes in MS63-65 for $30-50, but most will date in the 30s at this price range will date in the 1930s.
5. The Philly mint, especially, minted 10s of millions EVERY year for a lot of the series. Check if it might be a D or S, as it could be a little scarcer, relatively.
6. If its an S, check closely if you have and S/S variety, making it a tad more valuable again.
7. For a lot of the series an MS62-63 can be had for $50-125 per coin. There are some select Denver and SF years that can run higher.
8. The prizes in the series are a handful of varieties like the 1916 doubled die, 1918/7, and the 3 legged, which even in G/VG grades can run hundreds and thousands of dollars. The demand for your 1936 will unfortunately never come close to what it is for these varieties, and the abundant supply doubles down on squashing its value.
Relative to other series:
Buffalos are not collected with with the demand of Morgans. I'm not sure they have the passion behind them that the Early Coppers crowd seems to have.
They are also nickel and not silver, which likely limits value.
They are also 20th century rather than 19th century
They were minted in much larger numbers than most if not all of the series of the 19th century because the country's population had grown.
As a result, supply and demand in the markets dictate that your cool find isn't going to fund a retirement.
But its a cool find!
Relative the Buffalo series:
1. I'd put the piece you found at around maybe VF/XF. Its not UNC, which is very limiting on its value, but it is still a well preserved and specimen to be proud of.
2. Overall, a lot of Buffalos were minted during its 25 year run. General supply is not an issue within the hobby. There are only a handful of date/mint combos that are scarce, or maybe just scarce within the series.
3. Note that for the pieces from the 1930s, these tend to again, be the most common, and most carry the least of any premium. UNC pieces, even in MS65 can be had for under $100. Any dealer has a bin of 1930s buffalos for $1-2/coin in their bargain section.
4. Being at the end of the series, maybe a lot of people kept what was already a highly minted coin, such that even in high grades, there are A LOT of them. Check out a local show and you'll surely find a bunch of pretty Buffaloes in MS63-65 for $30-50, but most will date in the 30s at this price range will date in the 1930s.
5. The Philly mint, especially, minted 10s of millions EVERY year for a lot of the series. Check if it might be a D or S, as it could be a little scarcer, relatively.
6. If its an S, check closely if you have and S/S variety, making it a tad more valuable again.
7. For a lot of the series an MS62-63 can be had for $50-125 per coin. There are some select Denver and SF years that can run higher.
8. The prizes in the series are a handful of varieties like the 1916 doubled die, 1918/7, and the 3 legged, which even in G/VG grades can run hundreds and thousands of dollars. The demand for your 1936 will unfortunately never come close to what it is for these varieties, and the abundant supply doubles down on squashing its value.
Relative to other series:
Buffalos are not collected with with the demand of Morgans. I'm not sure they have the passion behind them that the Early Coppers crowd seems to have.
They are also nickel and not silver, which likely limits value.
They are also 20th century rather than 19th century
They were minted in much larger numbers than most if not all of the series of the 19th century because the country's population had grown.
As a result, supply and demand in the markets dictate that your cool find isn't going to fund a retirement.
But its a cool find!
