Hi there, A while ago, just when I started actively collecting, I bought several rolls of Buffalo Nickels among small collection of mostly heavily worn coins some guy was selling. Every single buffalo nickel was heavily worn and appeared to be cleaned (maybe surface was sanded at some point, but I'm not an expert). Anyway, I was surprised to discover that one of the coins had some sort of doubling on reverse. After a while unsuccessfully trying to find any information on that particular variety online, I signed up for PCGS membership and sent coin for grading. Coin quickly returned back in a "body-bag" with label "Authenticity Unverifiable". PCGS of course, wont provide any information on what kind of attempts to "verify" authenticity were made, so I just accepted a fact that I wasted $100+ for nothing. Folks at NGC forum suggested to contact James Wiles and I did, but never got any response to my email. As time goes by, and I'm trying to cleanup my office desk, this mysterious buffalo nickel again and again bugs my eye. I would love to sell it, and buy some additional coins for my collection, but how to price this item and where to sell it? Most popular auction houses only accept graded coins, but the fact that PCGS already rejected this item is not leaving me much hope. P.S. It's hard to see on this photo, especially with doubling... but there is appears to be mint mark between words "Five" and "Cents", it's looks to me rather "S". Coin in question:
The coin went thru a counter....see the sratch under the buffalo.....plus i agree yes in the ground or acid.
I would agree with their conclusion, it really can't be verified in that condition. I see a similar 'structure' between the T and S in CENTS. The die was badly deteriorated through overuse at the time. IMO, Jim
Nic-a-date was my first thought as I've seen it used in the entire Nickel. It takes away from the damage at the date.
