Archive for the ‘Buffalo Nickels’ Category

Identifying Counterfeit Coins

Coin collecters must always keep an eye out for counterfeit coins. Most coins for sale are genuine and sold at fair market value by honest dealers. That said, when a collecter does buy an altered or counterfeit coin the financial hit can be tremendus. Three basic types of fake coins exist: cast counterfeit, struck counterfeit and altered. Some fakes are of such high quality that even experts can be fooled occationally. Most of the time though a knowledgeable collector can weed out the suspicious looking coins.

Struck Counterfeit Coins

A struck counterfeit coins is often hard to detect. Struck counterfeit coins are made using the same process that the mint makes real coins with. Two dies, with the coin's design stamped into them, are placed in a press. Then a sheet of metal is placed between the dies. The dies are then squezed together to form the "coin."

A real coin is used as a model for a struck counterfeit coin's dies. Due the amount of time involved, counterfeiters take a lot of time to ensure accuracy. Most struck counterfeit coins contain die markers, or marks not normally found on a real coin. Struck counterfeits are not exact copies. It often takes a jeweler's loop and a great deal of knowledge to spot the differences between a real coin and a fake. For this reason coin collecters should know the die markers that are common to a real rare date coin.
 

Cast Counterfeit Coins

A cast counterfeit, an actually copy of a real coin, is made from a mold is made of both sides of a coin. Molten metal is poured into each half and then the halves are pressed together. This type of counterfeit coin was most often made to fool store clerks prior to the 20th century and were most often copies of silver coinage. Usually the metal used was not silver but a cheap base metal. Many times the dates were common.

Many times cast counterfeit coins are easy for an experienced collectors to spot. Cast copies will have a seam along the edge, as long as reeding was not added after the cast copy was made. If there is reeding, then inspect it closely for completeness and make sure that the reeds are even. Cast counterfeit coins often have a grainy look with lots of small pits in the fields around the design elements. The detail of the design elements will not be clear for the condition. When held in your hand, cast counterfeits have a different feel. Often they feel slimy or like they are coated with oil. The cheap metal used gets warm quickly and if dropped does not sound right.

Altered Counterfeit Coins

An altered counterfeit coin is made from a real common coin that has been altered to look like a valuable coin. This is the easiest way to make a fake coin. Many times tiny scratches will remain on the surface of the fake coin. The surface of the coin will not match the surface on different areas of the coin.

There are many examples of altered coins. 1937-D nickels sometimes have a leg removed to look like the famous 3-legged variety. This would change a coin that is worth a dollar or two into one that could sell for 0 or more. By knowing the diagnostics of the real 3-legged buffalo, you would know to look for the buffalo urinating.

Altering the date is another common way to cheat a collector. A famous example is the 1856 Flying Eagle penny. Only about 1000 real 1856 Flying Eagles were made as presentation pieces. They are extremely valuable. Some counterfeiters alter the 8 on an 1858 penny so that it looks like a 6. This only fools collectors that do not know what the real date looks like on the 1856. The shape and spacing of the real 56 cannot be duplicated with the 58. Anouther example of an altered date would be 1944-D pennies that have been changed to look like the 1914-D. Always check the date area carefully.

Mint-marks are sometimes added or removed to increase the value of a coin. Always look extremely close at the mint-mark area. Coins like the 1922-D penny can have the mint-mark removed easily. This can turn a coin into a 0 fake. Mint-marks are sometimes added to a coins surface. Many 1909-S VDB pennies are really nothing more than a 1909 VDB with the S added.

Most of the time a counterfeit coin can be detected with a good jeweler's loop and a basic knowledge of a particular coin's diagnostics. Beware of coins that have tiny marks that are not consistent with the rest of the coin. One of the best defenses against buying fake coins is a collectors instincts. If it does not feel right or the price is to good to be true, do not buy it.

Tips Of Collecting Silver Buffalo Coin

For coin collectors seeking the Silver Buffalo Coin, getting a coin in excellent condition is of the utmost importance. A commemorative Silver Buffalo Coin was created in 2001 which consists of approximately 90 percent pure silver. The commemorative coin is a replica of the original Buffalo Nickel first created by James Earle Fraser and cast between 1913 and 1938. On the front of the Buffalo nickel appeared the profile of a Native American and on the back a standing buffalo is visible. The same design appears on the commemorative coins created in 2001.

The commemorative Silver Buffalo Coin is fully endorsed and backed by the United States Mint. It is possible for buyers come across counterfeits of 2001 Silver Buffalo Coin in the market. One will find on genuine coins that the backside of the coin is inscribed with the words "IN GOD WE TRUST," just beneath the words "United States of America." The latter text is arched above the buffalo on the back of the coin. Just beneath the buffalo’s head on the coin, the words "E Plubribus Unum," the Latin phrase meaning "Out of Many, One" appears. The latter words are indicative of genuine commemorative coins as such an inscription is not inscribed on replications.

On a genuine Silver Buffalo Coin, coin collectors can also easily spot the specific denomination just below the buffalo on the obverse side of the coin which should clearly read "One Dollar." Replications may display the words "giant buffalo proof" where the denomination amount appears on genuine coins. In addition, just below the denomination indicator on the obverse side of the coin, one will find the letter "P" which is an indicator of what mint cast the Silver Buffalo coin as well as the letter "F" which is indicative of the coin’s original designer. The uncirculated version of silver Buffalo coin is minted in Denver, CO, with a "D" Mint Mark inscribed on the coin instead. Another clear clue that the coin is genuine is the fact that on the front side of the coin on the lower left is the engraved year: "2001."

Careful examination of the Silver Buffalo Coin will give a coin collector a solid idea about what he or she is buying. It is easy to separate all of the replicas from the originals when one knows what to look for. Understanding the identifying markers will help the coin collector ensure he or she is getting a genuine coin in every instance. You can also subject it to the magnet test. A silver coin won't be attracted to the magnet, but a fake steel coin would.

For more tips of collecting Silver Buffalo Coin, I recommend you checking out Buffalo coin for Sale. It is a specialized Buffalo Gold Coin for Sale site, offering a great selection of American gold Buffalo coins, silver Buffalo and Buffalo Nickels for sale. This website makes finding your dream American Buffalo Coin a million times easier. Be sure to try this website before you buy.

History Of American Gold Buffalo Coin

The history of American gold Buffalo coin went back to 1913, when the famous Buffalo Nickel was produced for the first time in history. Then Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh hired Sculptor James Earle Fraser to design a new American Nickel. Produced in 1913 to 1938, Buffalo Nickel features an Indian chief on the obverse side, and a American Bison, not a Buffalo as commonly believed, standing on a mound of dirt on the other side. Soon after the Buffalo Nickel went into circulation, a problem occurred: the raised mound part wore away quickly. The design of later 1913 Buffalo Coins was modified to take off the raised mound part.

In 2005, Congress passed the Presidential Coin Act, which authorized the US Mint to issue a 1 oz 24-Karat gold Bullion coin. The legislation was quite specific, mandating the design of new .9999 fine gold coin: The coin "shall bear the original designs by James Earle Fraser, 'which appear on the 5-cent coin commonly referred to as the 'Buffalo nickel' or the '1913 Type 1'." In other words, the new coin should carry the famed 1913 Buffalo Nickels' design by Fraser.

As a result, the American gold Buffalo coin was released to the public in 2006. Unlike previous American gold coins, American gold Buffalo coin was the first 0.9999 fine gold coin released by the US Mint. The coin was an immediate success. The US Mint sold a total of 323,000 coins in only seven months. By comparison, only 201,500 1 oz Gold Eagles, the world's best selling gold bullion coins, were sold that year.

As the 2005 Presidential Coin Act mandated, the 2006 American gold Buffalo coin is almost a replica of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel.The face side of the Gold Buffalo coin features the American Indian chief and the word "Liberty." The back side design is the same American bison standing on the mound. You will also see 1oz. .9999 FINE GOLD, and IN GOD WE TRUST inscribed on each gold Buffalo coin.

The US Mint continued producing the American gold Buffalo coins in 2007 and 2008. The coins are so popular among collectors and investors that, for a time in late 2008, the US Mint had to suspend sales because they could not keep up with demand.

I recommend you checking out American Gold Buffalo Coin. It is a specialized Gold Buffalo Coin for Sale site, offering a great selection of American gold Buffalo coins, silver Buffalo and Buffalo Nickels for sale. This website makes finding your dream American Buffalo Coin a million times easier. Be sure to try this website before you buy.

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Set of 5 No date buffalo Silver nickels, dated 1913-1937

• All coins made from 0.75 part copper, 0.25 part nickel
• great for collecting
• great to have for economic emergencies
• Set of five coins

Quick Overview
These Buffalo Nickels have seen their share of use. Each roll contains 40 Coins with dates ranging from 1913-1937, even though you won't be able to distinguish dates!

Great for starter coin collecting or to keep handy in case of economic emergency.

Vital Statistics Summary

Key Coin Info

Designed by: James E. Fraser
Issue date: 1913-1938
Composition: 0.75 part copper, 0.25 part nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 77.16 grains (5 grams)
Edge: Plain
Business strike mintage: 1,212

Price:

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Three Legged Buffalo Nickel & How To Detect Altered & Counterfeit Coins"

The 1937 D Three Legged Buffalo Part1

The Three Legged Buffalo Nickel is one of the famous and one of the most sort after error coins in the collecting world. I remember back when I was just starting out collecting coins with my dad. I could not have been more than 7 or 8 years old. My dad would say " We got to get that three legged buffalo". In my mind I was thinking a "Three Legged Buffalo??? Not wanting to disturb my dad, I did not ask him questions just yet. My mind was trying to figure out what a "Three Legged Buffalo" looks like. Was it another kind of Buffalo, could it be a different breed???? Or since it was also called a Indian head nickel, was it some symbol of a great god, maybe it symbolized a great warrior that was wounded in Little Big Horn battle. But what ever it was my dad just had to have one. The imagination on a young child could really make people dizzy. Eventually i asked my dad, and my answer was finally put to an end. We where down at the local coin dealer on West 45Th street in Manhattan. I remember the owners name, it was Joey, but we called him Jo-Jo for short. Dad asked Jo-Jo "do you have a three leggier". Jo Jo answer "not yet". My dad would have this disappointed look on his face. "make sure you let me know when you get one." Jo Jo would say "how about a 1942/1 Mercury Dime "No, i want the three leggier." Sounded like we were on the the big hunt in the forest looking for the trophy for the living room wall. My dad finally found a raw one, since they did not grade coins back in those days coins were purchase raw. "This one is not real" my dad said, the first one we looked at. "The buffalo is to big and the leg, not right.". It sure looked good to me, partial leg missing, "dad are you sure?" "Trust me son i can tell". My dad favorite phase was "trust me son", so I did. This leads us into what I will try to explain to you about a "Three Legged Buffalo Nickel".How to tell a genuine form a Counterfeit one.

Genuine Three Leggier 1) The entire Buffalo on the reverse of the coin is smaller then any altered one. Can be seen by the naked eye. 2) The hind legs on the genuine 3 legged are narrow and not totally rounded. Looks bumpy 3) The 3 leggier has several bumps between the front and back legs. 4) The beard tips on the 3 leggier are blunt and about even 5) On the genuine, the hoof between the missing leg is weak 6) Genuine 3 leggier, the P of PLURIBUS and the U of UNUM do not touch the upper portion of the buffalo. This concludes part one of "How To Detect Counterfeit & Altered Coins"

A short story on my stores name. Several years ago my dad died, one the worst days in my life. I took over our collection. I feel like my dad was still there next to me when i am around coins looking to sell or buy. I can still hear him said "I want a Three leggier", like it was yesterday. We all called my dad "Pop". So"Pop Pino Coins! is My M.O.

Pop Pino Coins! 1942/1 Mercury Dime

What'S Buffalo Nickel Value Today?

Neophyte coin collectors interested in finding out the buffalo nickel value will quickly discover that the actual value of a buffalo nickel depends upon the coin itself, such as the minted year and coin condition. The price tag of Buffalo Nickels ranges from to over ,000. Since Buffalo nickel value diminishes with the wear and tear on the coin, it is possible that some coin collector, upon first discovering a buffalo nickel believe that he may have a coin of considerable value, only to discover that the coin is not as worth as much as he estimated before.

Buffalo Nickels were produced from 1913 to 1938. The year the coin was created clearly affects the buffalo nickel value. The date should appear just below the neckline of the Native American’s profile on the front side of the coin. This positioning of the date causes the date to wear off with considerable circulation so the more the coin is circulated the lower the buffalo nickel value typically is. That being said, some buffalo nickel coins have dates that are nearly completely worn away. If the date is visible the coin is worth more: the clearer the date is the higher the value.

Typically the buffalo nickel value falls between one dollars and ten dollars, again depending upon condition. The buffalo nickel value increase significantly if it is a rare version. Errors in a coin’s creation make the coin a rarity and it is therefore worth more money to the coin collector. For example, there are famous1937 buffalo nickels with buffalo’s possessing only three legs (an error which became present while the coin was made) which proves to have a fairly high value. One can get a considerable price for such a coin: anywhere from to ,000.

The actual condition of the coin also plays a role in determining the Buffalo nickel value. Finding coins which have the best conditions, few scratches, easily definable features, and good tone and quality are key if looking to get the most value out of a buffalo nickel. Consideration of what mint cast the coin and the actual dating of the coin also play a role in what a coin will be worth.

To learn more about buffalo nickel value, I recommend you checking out Buffalo Nickels for Sale. It is a specialized Buffalo Gold Coin for Sale site, offering a great selection of American gold Buffalo coins, silver Buffalo and Buffalo Nickels for sale. This website makes finding your dream American Buffalo Coin a million times easier. Be sure to try this website before you buy.

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