1937 buffalo nickel. Proof?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by GH#75, Feb 21, 2020.

  1. GH#75

    GH#75 Trying to get 8 hours of sleep in 4. . .

    Hello all! I was given this by my great grandma. I don't know where she got it, but its stayed hidden away somewhere for decades. I thought this nickel looked a bit shiny. I'm not sure if it's mint luster, or proof, or polishing. But I am wondering if there is any way to figure that out. The pictures don't show the luster of the coin, but I was hoping that we could figure out why it's the way it is some other way, like maybe design, or details, or something else. Thank you for all your help! This site has helped me figure out all sorts of questions that would never have been solved if it weren't for you. Bufalo nickel.jpg buffalo nickel 2.jpg
     
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  3. sambyrd44

    sambyrd44 Well-Known Member

    no. its a generic circulation strike. Great family item though.
     
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  4. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    On the contrary, it has seen extensive circulation. The first thing I noticed from your first image is that the buffalo's horn is completely worn away. ~ Chris
     
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  5. robec

    robec Junior Member

    Definitely not a proof. A proof in this condition would have some evidence of left over mirror finish in the fields. Not just shiny, but flashy proof mirror areas
     
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  6. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    The Proofs are so bright you can barely see the design. I’ll post one tomorrow.
     
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  7. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    It's worn from circulation. Not a proof and not polished. Common date but great grandma tucked it away for some reason. Try asking her why if possible.
     
  8. GH#75

    GH#75 Trying to get 8 hours of sleep in 4. . .

    My great grandma passed away 2 years ago at 99 years old. I can't ask her why.
     
  9. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Sorry to hear that. There was a reason she kept that coin. You should keep it because she did.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
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  10. nuMRmatist

    nuMRmatist Well-Known Member

    It might have been a proof at one time (might still actually be 'proof'), but it's surely been in circulation for some time.

    Still pretty good condition tho...
     
  11. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    It's s business strike, never a proof.
     
  12. robec

    robec Junior Member

    These aren't the best photos, but they are good enough to show how mirror like the fields surface area is. Even in circulated condition, such as the OP's coin, much of this mirror like finish would be retained. The OP's coin isn't nor never was a proof.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  13. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Here is a Proof 1937 nickel.

    1937BufO.JPG 1937BufR.JPG
     
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