I have just started a Buffalo Nickel collection, and noticed many imaged examples with striated colored bands running across the coin. Is this common with Buffaloes and what might be the cause?
Thanks! I thought that might be the case because the direction of the bands were the same from obverse to reverse.
One last question..do the bands affect the price/grade of the coin, or does it fall into the realm personal choice?
It's all personal choice. Those types of coins are referred to as "Woodies" in the Lincoln series and some people collect them specifically. I'm not sure if they have a nickname in the Buffalo series or not. It should not affect the grade or price.
Me too! You could call it the geological Buffalo because its composition appears to be that of sandstone deposits rather than metal.
Look at this beauty...and it's only $1,000.00! Check out his other items for sale too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920-S-Buff...258735?hash=item4afe8d632f:g:6xoAAOSwiYFXK5at
As said above: Uneven oxidation of the different metals in the alloy. The darker they are the less attractive and valuable as they hurt the coin's eye appeal. They can USUALLY be removed prior to a sale but they OFTEN will return over time. The coin in post #8 is pretty though.
Well it ain't a 15. That leaves 13 & 14. 50/50 shot. I'll guess 14 as the image does not show enough die polish to ID the date. It looks like the TPGS slabbed the coin with a black thread on the "D" and a bunch of crap on the "NTS." Hope the debris is on top of the plastic!
It was actually the first result when I searched for the term "woodgrain" in the Buffalo category there. In the fullsize pics - these are downsized by half just to be small enough to post here - the reverse looks to have been slabbed with that thread (or it's actually on the coin) but everything else is out of focus and plainly on the outside of the slab. It actually hammered a bit below the going rate for PR66 T2's, understanding only two or three a year make it to the auction market so the sample size ins't conclusive. People seem to prefer the more subtle toning as opposed to woodgrain. In truth, Buffs (and Nickels in general) tone so gloriously I would probably concentrate on Proof Nickels if my budget allowed that price range. The one I posted is, to me, one of the most beautiful coins I've ever seen.
