We all have our favorite type of coin... for me it's Morgan dollars, and we all get extremely specialized in that one type. However, I've decided to venture out into the land of raw, ungraded MS coins from the early 1900's. I asked my parents for advice since they know firsthand about that time period, but they just shouted a few words along the lines of "what the..." and "you stupid..." and "not that old!" I didn't really know what they were saying, so anyway I thought some of you people who are specialized in buffalos could help me out with some buffalo nickel grades. Here's two 1916 nickels that I recently bought, first one are my photos, second one are seller photos. I paid around $20 for the first one, but close to $200 for the second one, which I normally wouldn't be fine with doing, but there's a little something that caught my eye (variety cherrypickers will know...). For the first one, I'm going to ignore the corrosion and assume it would straight grade, and estimate an MS62. Second one I'm shooting more towards MS65. Am I right with these predictions? Thanks a lot and enjoy your weekend!
Yes, I see the color change, but the question is the use of the word corrosion. I do not have the coin in hand, that is why I ask. I am not certain it is corrosion.
I think the first one gets a bump down for all the carbon spotting - MS63. The second one I fear would be MS details - scratches. Bummer too, because that's a really nice coin.
That's what I've heard, they're a nightmare for people sending in for high grades because you never know what the TPG will see.
Yes it is, it's the typical greenish corrosion you see on buffalo nickels, it's hard to see the color of it because of the way the light hits it. There's a smidge on the bottom rim of the reverse too.
Where do you see the scratches? This is one I am considering sending in, so this is a touch worrying. If you're talking about the big horizontal line across the face, I'm 99% sure it's just a hair because the shadow of it is slightly visible in the luster.
Is there a 2 1/2 feather? It sure doesn't look like a 2 feather. It's close to it, that's why I asked.
I agree with the first as being a low grade MS. A little dirty but I like it. The second, I think looks good and clean but that itself isn't good enough to warrant a 65. Luster on the highlights are muted, something that both PCGS and NGC have an aversion to on gem coins, unless it's some kind of toning. That does appear to be a light scratch across the injun's jaw. It may not be enough to get a details grade but I can see it knocking the grade unless it's some kind of planchet flaw. I personally see it as a 64, although it's hard to judge from a seller's pictures. Do you think the third feather is weak enough to garner an FS-402 designation? Every example I've seen has nothing left of it. Still beautiful coins, though!