1923-S Nickel - Wear Vs Weak Strike

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,262
ElmerFlick Valued Member United States 110 Posts	Posted 09/08/2022 4:38 pm I picked up this 23-S Buffalo as a raw, high end Vf based on the amount of horn showing and other obverse/reverse detail observations. I also noticed weird metal flow lines on the reverse between the buffalo and the rim. The more I look at the coin and the more I research the early S mint buffalos, I'm starting to think this might be more like an au coin as there doesn't appear to be many abrasions/scratches and the date is quite bold. Is there an easy way to differentiate wear from a weak strike for these? Any thoughts on what the true grade of this might be? Thanks in advanced. Report this Post to the Staff

Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 09/08/2022 5:52 pm Definitely indications of a worn die here. Like you, I would instinctively grade this high VF, but I'll wait for the experts. Report this Post to the Staff
ElmerFlick Valued Member United States 110 Posts	Posted 09/08/2022 8:44 pm Thanks Coinfrog, I didn't think about die degradation as a possible contribution to loss of detail. Makes sense that not all lack of detail is necessarily from circulation wear and/or low striking pressure. However, it seems like it would be hard to convincingly argue with someone when selling a coin like this that it is a higher grade than the (lack of) detail of the buffalos head suggests. I just don't want to be too conservative when I ultimately sell it in the future by undergrading it one or more grades. ElmerFlick Report this Post to the Staff
MisterT Pillar of the Community United States 2001 Posts	Posted 09/08/2022 9:17 pm Agree with Frog about the deteriorated die issue. The reverse does show significant wear and flatness to the highest points of the hind quarters, tail, head, horn, and above the front shoulder. Too much flatness to convince me of an AU grade. I have the obverse at XF-40, the reverse at VF-25, and I think I would net grade this as a VF-30. Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 09/08/2022 9:51 pm To me, a coin should look like its grade. If this gets a TPG grade of EF or better because of esoteric striking considerations, then so be it, but it wouldn't tempt me. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,262

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