Hey Roy......oh I know you are just saying that.... ...the Franklins are GREAT coins...for any collector. Speedy
Without a doubt: BUFFALO NICKEL In my opinion, no other coin quite expresses "Americana" more than the Buffalo Nickel.
No, I wish it were my 13-S, but it isn't. It's a beautiful coin, don't you agree? I like the way James Fraser filled both surfaces of the coin with design elements. But, he did it in a way that didn't make the coin look too busy or unpleasing to the eye. To me, this is the perfectly designed coin. The portrait of the Native American is extremely powerful, yet simple. The obverse wording is kept to a minimum and doesn't intrude on the flow of the design. The reverse has just as much impact with the buffalo as the major element. I like the roughness of the texture of the fields (which was much to the chagrin of Charles Barber, by the way) which gives the coin sort of a raw, down-to-earth feel to it. This coin is one of the most iconic American coins ever produced and, in my opinion, the most beautiful. This is a bit off-topic, but it's related to the designer of the Buffalo Nickel, James Fraser: If you've ever visited the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, you've seen Mr. Fraser's other famous work, the statue entitled "End of the Trail". This statue is awesome (just like the Buffalo Nickel) and should really be appreciated in person.
As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with CoinOKC 100% on his selection of favorite coin. To the best of my memory the Indian Head Nickel was the first denomination that I really had anything to do with collecting coins. So I guess it is appropriate that it will also be the last series of coin that I will be putting togather. The one in progress is my third set of Indian five-cent pieces and it has presented some unique problems. I have tried to get a coin from each state in the union (kind of like gathering the heard) and they must be at least MS-60 in grade with a slight yellow cast if possible. My 1913-S var. 2 comes from the great state of Texas and is MS-63. The only error (I prefer the term "oddities") that is in the set is the 37-D, 3 legged Buff and it is the only one not MS, but is only AU-50. Got to find one more and it has to be from Vermont or Rhode Island if possible and then I can close my check book and go fishing. Wish me luck.
Hey OldDan I know a dealer in Vermont...he might have what you are looking for.... http://www.vtcoins.com I can tell you that this guy is true to his word and his coins are just like he says. Speedy
I went to vtcoins' website... lookie: MS65 Walker: http://www.vtcoins.com/cgi-bin/browse.pl?control=viewitem&coinid=v6026 MS65 Walker: http://www.vtcoins.com/cgi-bin/browse.pl?control=viewitem&coinid=v8016 Both from NGC, which would you think is MS65?
I guess what you are saying is that you don't agree with one of the grades? and I bet that the ones you don't agree with is the 1944 ?? Well something I've just learned myself is that 1944 WL's are wealy struck--therefor I think I can say it looks great...the luster is BU-T-Full! Now if I was buying one...I would go for the 1945...the reasons??...the hand is fully struck..that is the first thing that shows wear and is mostly weakly struck--its toned...not a pretty toning I'll say but I can be pretty sure that no one has messed with it and "cleaned" it....the other coin is WHITE...and might have had some toning at a point in time....but that is not here or there. Speedy
No one ever said if for collecting, selling or just spending. If for spending, anything that people will take. If for collecting, probably the Buffalo Nickel for numeral uno. If the 1943 Lincoln Cent wasn't so numerous, that would be my second choise and probably still is. If for selling, can't beat the Morgan Dollars. Pick em up at flea markets, yard and garage sales, estate sales and resell in a few days at a coin show for ots more.
VT sure has some nice stuff. Guess this recommendation from two members here is enough for me to test the proverbial coin waters with VT. Thanks for the referral.. ( I think that VT thanks you too! )
Hey OldDan....check out this Golden Buff on ebay....NICE... http://cgi.ebay.com/1938-D-Buffalo-...371199184QQcategoryZ11954QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Speedy