1913 S Buffalo Nickel Type 2... Grading Opinions.

I'd guess this coin is high AU to low end UNC (AU55 to MS 61). Very late die state and awfully weak details. Bigger pics might help.

Neat little die break around the date. Heritage has sold a couple of these over the years. The die break might add a little premium to the value when you sell it.

Cool coin!

Impossible to grade accurately from these small images.

larger photos would help however if we have to grade by these then I think its low to mid MS. MS63

MS62

Same breakdown from me as the first set of pics, I'm still at AU58-MS62. Leaning towards MS

Just saw this thread. @Ty2020b nailed the analysis.

Fantastic coin!

This obverse die was matched with at least two different reverse dies during its lifespan. PCGS has a photo in its 1913-S Type 2 Pop Report links with a much earlier die state of the obverse. (See the PCGS VF-35 coin, cert no. 14965997.) The two obverse die cracks are much smaller and earlier on the PCGS coin, and the reverse die was later die state than the obverse at that time.

This is actually a sharply struck coin. LIBERTY is a design issue on 1913-15 Buffs, and is almost always very weak. This is about as weak as it gets. Notice the sharp date, complete ribbons, and almost complete rachis and calamus on the second feather. The first feather shows most of the rachis, which frequently is missing, even on UNC coins. The reverse shows a sharp tail, horn, front right and rear left legs, beard, eye, and peripheral lettering.

Most of the weakness is die state. This is VLDS obverse (likely terminal die state), and MDS reverse.

There is heavy die polishing, explaining the weakness on the lower tips of the feathers and the heavy polishing beneath the chin. The reverse has heavy clashing and moderate polishing with the chin/EPU clash and the "LI" of LIBERTY/right rear leg clash. The second feather / head to "U" of UNITED clash has been polished, but is very weakly visible. The buff's head and tail, and the "F" and "S" of FIVE CENTS are distinct from the rim. The Indian's neck / buffalo's back clash has been polished on the reverse. The weak upper left ribbon suggests polishing on the obverse, as well. The Indian's hairline / ground level clash appears to be unpolished, which is typical.

Your coin has the classic light gold toning of an old Wayte Raymond / National Coin album survivor. Those albums preserved some beautiful buffs. I always love seeing that gold toning, because it suggests the coin has been in a collection for a long time.

I, too, hesitate on the grade here. Some of the flatness between the back of the nose and the hair adjoining the cheek and on the buffalo's front left leg could suggest light circulation. I cannot get a good feel from the photos whether this is high AU or UNC. There are a few contact marks in prominent places, but none that would risk detailing the coin. If UNC, I could see MS-63, with an outside shot at MS-64. Put me down for either AU-58 or MS-63. Great coin.