What are those two round "clean" holes at 6 o'clock on the obverse? It almost looks like where current was attached to the coin. Because of those two marks, I'm going to say it doesn't grade. I'm no expert on toning, but those two untoned circles jump out at me. Nice looking coin.
I think it has a better shot at grading out. Since this was an album toned specimen, those two voids were probably paper fibers just sitting on the coin.
Absolutely, it should grade (especially by NGC). Classic NT from an album, and they've graded many like that before. I don't collect Buffs, but 64 looks good to me. Outside shot at MS 65??? Don't know the series well enough to be sure on that.
I do not see a bunch of noise on it so the prime driver is going to be luster. I will go 65, but a 66 would not surprise me.
It looks like a nice one there. However, there are a couple of things I'd like to point out. The color is OK at or near the rim but as you get toward the center it looks "too good". The concern for me is how the color spreads out rather than being "tight". I dunno...maybe I'm just overreacting. The other thing is the rub on the Buffalo's rear hip. That's the place you start to see wear. It could just be the photo so who knows? I would not be shocked if you see a 62 grade. If the issues are no biggie then I'd expect 64/65 grade. 66 is possibility depending on which TPG. jom
Before I say anything I want to say I find this coin very attractive!! Now, I agree with Jom, if this coin can break the color barrier it might get a numerical grade. But, I think your looking at an AU-58. As Jom has pointed out it appears to have some rub on the hip bone and flank on the rear of the Buffalo. This is the first place you'll see rub. But, it's also the last place to fill out when struck. Thus, you must look for a break in the luster in this area by tilting the coin to and fro. This is a perfect example of why it's so hard to grade a coin by images. You have a coin here with GREAT potential!! Please do let us know how it grades.....Joe
This is a tough one. Buffalo nickels are tough to me to start with, and the toning can hide some wear. The issue I see to hold it back is the LIBERTY on the obverse. I agree a high grade almost uncirculated. That said, the details on the Indian head and buffalo are both crisp, and the toning is lovely. Its value will most certainly well exceed the slab grade.
It is a bit unusual for me to "take the other side" if you will, but I think what some of you are seeing that you are calling rub/light wear is actually the result of a weak strike. Light wear always leaves behind a smooth surface. Whereas a weakly struck area will show something that looks similar but yet has a texture to it, a roughness or bumpiness if you will. That is because the metal that is being forced up to fill the die stops short of actually filling the die. And that leaves behind the textured surface because the metal is flowing at different rates kind of almost bubbling upwards and not moving/flowing upwards in straight flat plane. And if you look closely at the shoulder and flank of the buffalo you can see that textured/rough surface - not a smooth flat one. Same thing you see at the mid portion of the braid, just above the tie, on the obverse. That is a weak area as well. That is my opinion, guess we'll see what the TPG's opinion is in time. As for the color, obviously I have no problem with it. They have graded hundreds, thousands just like it. But, they are fickle when it comes to color so who knows what they'll say.
I don't see why it wouldn't grade. Nothing about that coin jumps out at me as AT, nor do I see any evidence of a cleaning. I'll Say 65? What is going on below the Indian's chin? Almost looks like letters.
I think it will grade and I don't believe there is rub on the coin. It is a very nice coin. If this was a 1920's Buff I would be more forgiving about the strike, but a 1914 should be hammered and this one is not so I need to go with 65.