Sorry I attached so many pictures, I just wasn't sure which ones came out the best. I got this 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel (from a friend, who didn't even know what it was) - and I'm pretty sure that it's real, as I went through all the tests - I just wanted your collective opinion on it. I don't have one of these yet so I would LOVE it to be authentic. I don't have any good coin dealers around here either, so I have no one else to ask... Let me know what you think!
Does the right rear leg have a rough look to it like moth eaten? From your images I can't see it ...if it does have that effect I'm 100% sure it's the real 3 legger
I see nothing that screams, "Fake!" but your photos are poor. Please take the coin out of the 2X2 and try to get better photos of the coin (not the plastic window of the 2X2).
You have some close-up shots of the "moth eaten" here: http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/3982?redir=t
EDIT - Okay, Here are some extra pictures that I've taken without the holder. Thanks for the welcome! I've been trolling the forum for a loong time but don't usually post. And yes, I hooked my buddy up and told him what he gave me... Also - Yes, the back leg does look "moth-eaten." I've seen some pics of fake 3-leggers and this back leg is significantly more worn than a normal one (or a fake) would be.
Ahhh, I will have my buddy swing by this weekend with his ridiculous camera and get good shots of it...I couldn't get any better ones with my Iphone. Thanks so much, more pics this weekend!
more pics So my buddy finally came down with his awesome camera and macro lens. He took what I think are some great photos . Everyone seemed pretty sure it was real, but I would love 100% certainty. Thanks so much!
Due to the wear on this coin I can't say 100% that's real. In hand I could tell for sure by weighting it and looking under a loop. If it is real the wear would devalue the coin to a VG 8 value in the $500 range.
I must admit that I have problems enough with the photos that I would not consider it real or not by them. Some of the characteristic points on both the obverse and the reverse are weak if they are there at all. I would recommend the OP to check out this thread, where he can see these points himself and judge with the coin in hand. http://www.cointalk.com/t63603/