Local dealer is offering them for $0.42/ea. 1) on a scale of 1-10 (and I know it's tough without knowing grade), is that a fair price? 2) should I pay less for Buffalo nickels that have no date left? I *should* pay less, right? (to play with vinegar, Nic-a-date, etc.)
Maybe as a gamble...they'll use nix-a-date on it and see if the coin is worth more than just a ND Buffalo.
Some would if they are treated and happen to be shown as a rare date then yes they are worth a good amount if it is a rarer date !!
If by "good amount" you mean when compared to the cost/value of a dateless, then yes... certain treated dates can yield a fine return percentage-wise for that individual coin, but it should be made clear that in the overall scheme of things, one wishing to treat such coins should set their expectations low; treated coins are worth very little compared to unmolested very low grade yet still identifiable examples.
Buffs with no dates on them are gladly purchased by native American/ western jewelry makers for belts, hatbands, boot decorations, etc. Cheap and easy to use now with modern epoxy. A dealer in Northern AZ sells them by the 1000s at the Pow Wows and native art shows. If your nic-a-date fails, use the Detecto method of cleaning with a rock drum/grit and epoxy them on your cell phone, car, computer.....Nice conversation starter.
I got a dark 1928-P from the local coin shop for 19 cents, a VG 1925-P for $1.69, and a nice 1938-D for $1.99. Have no idea if these prices are average or not.
I bought one a while back. Paid 5 cents for it. Pulled it out of a roll at work. Kept it because it was the first buffalo nickel that I've ever found. Other than that, I don't see why anybody would pay much for them.
