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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,219 |
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New Member
United States
21 Posts |
Just picked up this 1928 Buffalo nickel to replace a lower grade one in a 1928 mint set I'm putting together. There is some what I would assume is verdigris on the obverse feathers and reverse in a couple small places, so it would get environmental damage. I'm at AU on grade, but don't have experience with Buffalo nickels. What does everyone think? Also, does the toning on the obverse appear natural or artificial? Thanks!     |
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
Sharp looking nickel with interesting tone. I kinda like it, and I cannot be alone, so it is probably market acceptable toning. I am not one to pay a premium for tone alone, so best to let others offer their opinions.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
I believe it is artificial toning because the color progression is not evenly distributed.
Fun project, keep us updated with complete pictures of the 1928 uncirculated set!
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3644 Posts |
First,  Your 1928 has mismatched die states, which is common in the Buffalo series, a late die state obverse and a middle die state reverse. There is minimal die clashing and die polishing, and a decent strike. (The rachis and calamus on the second feather are strong and the rachis is visible on the first feather. The beard, eye, neck, and leg details on the buffalo are fairly sharp.) The obverse appears to have more wear than the reverse, but that is a function of the difference in die states. In looking at the surfaces from your photographs, there are pin-prick indentations all over the fields and devices. This suggests that the coin may have been soaked in mild acid. There are also quite a few parallel scratches on the devices, suggesting the surface was brushed or scrubbed. You can see this with WNW-ESE scratches across the second feather, hair above the braid, and the knot and WSW-ENE scratches across the buffalo's front leg and flank. I agree with @jacrispies, the toning appears to be artificial. Normal toning on a Buffalo nickel will be uniform light golden toning, generally caused by long term storage in the old Wayte Raymond / National Coin albums. IMHO, this nickel would grade closer to EF-45 details, cleaned. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18662 Posts |
my first thought was the obverse area across the profile is showing hairlines across it indicating some type of cleaning. cant add anything to FC's assessment. XF details (cleaned)
FC always learning from your assessments. you are stating a LDS obv and MDS reverse die. if you have a second can you note the indicators you are seeing that present that? is it the flatness of some devices? particularly the toned obv area and fur on the back on the reverse with the weak mound definition and FIVE CENTS?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19152 Posts |
Agree with fortcollins (above).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3644 Posts |
Quote:
you are stating a LDS obv and MDS reverse die. if you have a second can you note the indicators you are seeing that present that? On this coin, what appears to be circulation wear is uneven, with more evident loss of detail on the obverse than the reverse. For example, compare the loss of detail on the knot and braid with the sharper detail on the buffalo's head and upper back. With the strike quality being fairly decent, the only remaining possibilities are PMD or die state. Like all dies, Buffs will show increased metal flow near the rim when they age. Unlike some lower relief designs, however, Buffs will also show increased metal stress near the Indian's eye and higher points of the hair and on the opposing areas of the reverse, which are the buffalo's hind legs and the ground. On this coin, the stress lines are much more evident on the obverse than the reverse. By VLDS, the stress lines are accompanied by distortion of the lettering near the rims. |
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New Member
 United States
21 Posts |
Quote:
Sharp looking nickel with interesting tone. I kinda like it, and I cannot be alone, so it is probably market acceptable toning. I agree, jabuck, the toning really caught my eye and even if it is artificial, it is still appealing to me! Quote:
Fun project, keep us updated with complete pictures of the 1928 uncirculated set! Maybe one day the coins will all be uncirculated, but for now I am just putting mint sets together from meaningful years for me. Currently my grandparents birth years (1923, 1927, and 1928). Quote:
Your 1928 has mismatched die states, which is common in the Buffalo series, a late die state obverse and a middle die state reverse... Fortcollins: I really appreciate your in depth analysis! You certainly have a wealth of knowledge on the Buffalo series. Thank you for taking the time to write out such a detailed response. I've learned a lot from your initial response and follow up! Thank you, panzaldi, for initiating that  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18662 Posts |
buffalo school is in session. my knowledge base regarding these has gone up exponentially. thanks for taking the time FC to pass on your years of experience. I'm sure everyone here feels the same.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,219 |
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Posted 05/07/2025 5:03 pm
