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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,804 |
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Valued Member
United States
285 Posts |
I picked up a starter set of Buffalo nickels of which none have been restored. The dates before 1930 can still be made out in most cases, but I have a few which it is hard to determine the date. Does anyone familiar with these nickels recommend anything to view the dates? Or should I leave as is? I did not purchase these to sell but to pass down to my sons in the future so they have a piece of history. |
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
I think if the dates can be made out with a loupe or other magnifier they sould not be restored. Obviously, if the date is not legible with magnification--the are just no date Buffalo nickles. I have all but the 1913-s t-2 and a couple need magnification to absolutely determine the date and I am proud to own them. It is just what you are satisfied with. I have not intention of parting with any of mine. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
i agree I am proud of any and all none restored bn I own
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
I bought my first Buffalo nickel today at a flea market. It was the least worn one there out of about 15 and it's a 1936. I saw a 1920 but you could only make out the "920" and most of the indian and buffalo were worn smooth. That was the only other one that a date could be seen to the naked eye. So, I got the 1936 that still has many features visible. I know nothing about restoring them but I have been warned about even cleaning coins due to harsh chemicals. I'm new to this but I'm happy with mine being in a circulated condition. It makes me wonder where all they have been over the last century. History is old.......alot of these coins are too :) |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Buffalo nickels are my favorite series-I just need to upgrade very few to have a full set in vf-au, which is extremely difficult to do. With the 5 cent piece being a mainstay of our coinage, and being "worth" something in commerce in the past, most saw heavy circulation. By the 1950's many if not most dates were worn off. So depending on the condition you can guesstimate when they were pulled from circulation. I was able to pull many decent ones from 1930-1938 in circulation during the 1960's- after that they are few and far between. If you can read the date, leave the coin as-is. The date restoring should only be for heavily worn pieces that have no date whatsover. And never clean them!! Enjoy.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
That is a good starter set. By that I mean now start attempting to upgrade each one and/or fill any empty slots. Do not try to fix or clean any of them. All coins, like any good antique, are worth much more if original.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
use a 10x loupe to try and see the dates........
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
Restored dates are good for inexpensive space fillers if you can get them cheap enuff-say 5-10% of unrestored value.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
802 Posts |
How are coins "restored"?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
687 Posts |
If you can definitely identify the date, I wouldn't touch them. Basically, you can date almost any buffalo where a piece of the last digit and the "F" are identifiable. Some of the varieties are identifiable even when dateless too, so I'd hesitate to alter any of them with acid until you are sure it's necessary.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Not worth owning if they're restored. Too beautiful of a coin to own in low grades ;) I actually just don't see the point of having an acid coin - even worse than a harsh cleane coin and look how people on here frown on that.
But if you're interested in restoring them with acid, just do a search on these forums for acid or vinegar buffaloes. Or even "restored buffaloes" should get you the result you're looking for. I'm pretty sure it's been detailed before.
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Valued Member
United States
259 Posts |
I love Buffalo nickels. I started collecting as a teenager and am still working on it! |
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
I say if you can't see the date with magnification then just let it go. No need to destroy history with chemicals.
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
I've bought acid restored buffalo's just to put in as set fillers. I don't mind them myself and the price was certainly right.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,804 |
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Posted 05/30/2011 3:41 pm
