Hello, Is there a general rule of thumb for pricing restored buffalo nickels? Also, do you prefer nic-a-date or completely restored examples, or should they be left plain? I figure if there is no date at all it makes it at least more collectable and restores something that was lost. I will mention though that it is the only case I would approve of doing restoration work.
cull value for common dates, and cull value for scarcer dates probably, by that I mean the value a scarce date would be in cull condition, not cull value
Your best bet is to do some research on eBay "sold items". Key dates definitely go for more than cull value, but as I recall they'll still bring only a small fraction of the price of a problem-free AG or G example, even though a "full-body restore" may leave them with VF or better details.
By asking not only how to price them, but what "restoration" people prefer, and pressing the debatable positives, this reads like you're looking for a little hopefully-profitable venture. If so, you're likely looking at lots of work for very little reward. While some dates/mints certainly can, all things considered, bring reasonable premiums, you're not going to be pulling them from piles left and right, and if banking on people paying worthwhile money for common restored dates, a disappointment likely awaits. If you just want to "restore" a few handfuls (or whatever) of coins you already have or just to test the water, there's certainly no harm in doing so, especially if you can do a "good" (in context, of course) job.
Been a while since I looked them up, but if memory is correct, CERTIFIED (*yes, ANACS certifies them or used to) 1913-S type II restored dates go for $50 - $100 on Heritage.
