It sure had me fooled...I never even considered it being an MS63...It looks like a proof or an MS PL to me...but I,m certainly not a qualified grader of these. I agree it should be in an MS 66 holder with a PL designation in my opinion. Nice catch! By the way, what is the most distinguishing difference between your coin and an actual proof example?
I tried to do some research before posting a grade, and was puzzled because there dosent seem to be much difference between the issues. Very nice Buffaloe, I wouldn't have been able to pass it up either.
Im thinking this may be a great idea 4 a thread: Post your undergraded coins, we could even comment as to who has the best/most under graded/greatest +/- price difference etc etc. If anyone wants to do it. Feel free, if noone does in a few days or so, i guess i could. I think it would make great research to see , what company & generation holders are most likely to contain these. Would be very entertaining as well
Can I ask a question? If almost all 1915 Buffalo nickels have outstanding strike and luster, then why is it a surprise that compared to all the other 1915 Buffalo nickels that this specific one rates MS-63? This is a concept that I am trying to reconcile. Take for example 1880-S Morgan Dollars. So many of them have mirrored surfaces that not all of them grade DMPL. Does this make sense? Or is this coin graded differently?
Well, for sure you picked up a beauty and although I'm not an expert on these by any means, this one looks like a candidate for re-holdering. Def. not a 63, (again, no expert) but I've seen a lot of 63's and this does not even come close.
You know Larry in hand the rims do tend to my eyes look square . But here's the thing . ....if retired proof dies did in fact return to the press ,how could you tell if it was or wasn't ? I would love to see a proof side by side to make a comparison . But again can you be sure that the proof is in fact a proof or.....another well struck 15 that was minted on the proof dies that went back into service.
Great question Mike..... And yes I agree as I probably have 15 to 20 80 S Morgans and why because just what you posted . Nicely struck coins hammered ,frosty ,and plenty of eye appeal. But another point as to their a signed grades who ,what, when ,and where. What time period what the 80 S graded? What company did the grading? Has grading standards been modified since the specimen was graded? Not trying to start a war in here as to who's the best or worse grading company . But how many times have a coin been posted in the forum where most members are scratching their heads as to the a signed grade. " be it over or under graded" Heavycam.monstervam suggestion of a new thread concerning these issues as well as values be they plus or minus.....would be I believe a good learning tool for all members. Such a thread must have Some sorts of controls, such as information of TPG company , time period the coin was slabbed , the value spread of the specimen in question . as with this coin I posted in 63 -$90...65 -$300 . Very valuable information trying to determine if the coin was grossly over or under graded.
I was thinking of you Sunday my dealer who I work for had 7 beautiful proof sets in dark red capital holders. 1936, 1940,1941,1942,1943 he had purchased in a large estate . The 36 was OMG out of this world.....! A customer of his drove from NJ down and purchase all but the 41. The proof Buffalo in the 36 set was eye popping!
Matte proofs are crazy fun. I was looking at the images on CoinFacts. The look of the rims are all over the place. It would be interesting to know what standard PCGS uses on these. I'm sure sometimes it's just a guess.
And I would agree 100%, again who ,when, and whom did the grading? Most of all did the "grader" have any knowledge of the history of this year's coins? Was he aware of the proof dies being place back in service. You know that would be a fantastic read or book... "Secret' s of the US Mint" it would take gobs of research to compile the data and stories. But what a read especially to people like us.
I assembled the 40-42 proof sets in slabs as you know. As far as the 1930s go, I would gladly settle for a Buffalo proof. A lot of those are killers!
Your coin is a fantastic find and inspires me to locate one like it...I think we were all "BUFFALOED" by this thread and motivated by it...Thanks!
Good luck in your quest . .....there are a lot of nice 1938 D's out there also strike and color wise. You may get lucky and cherry pick a D/D or D/S . I cannot help myself when it comes to a Buffalo nickel I go to a show thinking something silver and end up coming home with 4 hoofs.