I am interested in anyone that has a constructive opinion on this coin I am considering purchasing. Could it possibly be the elusive 3 legged buffalo?
You might find this useful: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coin-buying-education-101-3-new-7-31.63603/ for the reverse . but the obverse also can help decide so check my post ( 9 I think) in this thread. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/is-this-a-3-leg-1937-d-buffalo-nickel.195191/#post-1305395 but I do not think the obverse indicates it is Jim
Hi Jim, Very good info, thanks. I did not know about the obverse differences. I am pretty sure ruling it out as real on the reverse problems with the e. plurb touching the bisons back. (TY PCGS) Now please know, this was not advertised as a 3 legger. I just bought it in a lot. What I am finding very interesting about this coin is it may be a really cool old fake. Someone even mentioned spray paint it another post. My humble opinion, that is age pitting. Regardless, I bought it and am looking forward to checking it out for myself. That's part of the fun for sure!
I'm a newbie but ifuts real it's a cool find the date is very clear. I just found my 1st buffalo last week roll hunting. It had no date but so many stories say its commen for that 2 to happen. Luckily this community has great people with knowledge. Some1 suggested the vinager and peroxide it worked for me.. well great find and happy hunting.
Normally a die has to be polished because of clashed dies. In the case of the the 3-legged Buffalo, the accepted reason for the die having to be polished is not because of clashed dies, but to clean up corrosion. When a die is polished by lapping, the field of the die (the high part of the die) is removed, which can take away some of the edge of the incuse design. That being said, when the reverse die of the Buffalo Nickel was polished, heavy polishing occurred because of heavy corrosion, resulting in the removal of the front right leg, and a portion of the the right rear leg (so-called moth eaten). In addition to the removal of leg/leg-parts, the size of the Buffalo actually was reduced (edge removal of the incuse design), resulting in the back of the Buffalo 'moving away' from the 'P' and 'U' of E Pluribus Unum, and the Buffalo positioned further away from the rim compared to other nickels. The raised bumps under the belly of the Buffalo are corrosion/pitting on the working die that was not polished down/off. If those pits were removed, we may have ended up with a no-legged, floating Buffalo...
All good comments and info. I so really like this site! I bought this off a good seller on e-bay. Paid one dollar, no hollar. I'll post some pics when I receive that bad boy bison!
A friend of mine has a 1937 D 3 legged buffalo nickel he got from his grandfather. I am a knowledgeable collector, but not an expert. The coin's reverse passes most of the tests for being genuine, but the obverse looks odd. No F and a so-called 2 1/2 feather variety. I can't tell her if the coin is real or fake unless it is confirmed by someone familiar with the strike. Thank you in advance.
Sorry but it's a fake IMO. The missing part of leg is is cut too sharp and the "stream" lines in the legs doesn't look right. Just my opinion but I would not purchased this coin
That one has been worked on. The motto is too close to the buffalo's back, and the leg is just wrong. The process that created 3 legged buffalos also shrunk the devices on the reverse, creating a wider gap between the buffalo and E PLURIBUS UNUM and thinner legs that fade into the missing section.
Thanks everyone for your input. I will advise her to hold on to the nickel for sentimental value and not try to sell it. That would be th best for all involved. Thanks again.
Just for future reference, if it was real, you likely,lowered the value holding it like that. Always hold coins by the edges. Unless they are ancients, which you can hold as you like. Which makes them infinitely cooler ;-)
