Flat Head Indian

I have a 1917 Buffalo nickel that I believe has an obvious cracked die error.

Instead of the regular obverse Indian portrait, the die crack took off the forehead, ending up with a slant or as I call it, a flat head Indian.

I have up-loaded a scan of two Buffs side by side for a comparison.

This coin is NOT for sale. Just thought I would share with the Forum.

Dave

 

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Loved the description, "Flat head"

Post mint damage, tho.
But: How is the reverse?

 

You really think so Frank ? It kind of looks like something laid on the die when it was struck. It is very smooth and not chopped except the line extends into the rim. The back side looks ordinary. No marks that I can see.

Dave

 

It appears to be post-strike damage.

 

Mike knows his stuff.
Also, look at the mark by the date, and the flattening on the rim near Liberty.

 

Post mint damage,something has hit something into it very very hard.

 

You guys have almost got me convinced, but what in the world could cause such a slice with out moving the metal ?

 

If this is man made, I think it could have been by a rival tribe. Almost looks like tomahawk marks.

Dave

 

I would say post mint damage.

Lou

 

Just to chime in as well (not trying to gang up ) but this does appear to be post mint damage.

 

And: " Buffalos
The Buffalo Hunter"

would know.

 

I'm actually putting together a website on buffalo nickels, and just decided to put together a section on Post Mint Damage to give folks a small education on whats lurking out there that could be mistaken for errors... If anyone has interesting photos you would let me use, let me know!

 

You can tell it's post mint damage because you can still see the forehead some. If there was something on the die, it would be blank.

 

Usually but not always, strike throughs would definately be an exception to your rule.

-Daniel

 

Here is the reason I believe this to be PMD and not a strike through...

If you look at the area of the image I have indicated with the marker, you will see that the metal is "rough" and at the edge of this roughness their is indicators of raised metal as if the metal was dragged or moved horizontally, this evident as a small raised "lip" that extends above the already circulated and worn surface of the coin.
This would lead to the conclusion that the metal was shifted sideways where as a true strike through would produce straight up and down marks with no indication of "sliding", or movement or friction with the metal. I hope this explanation clarifies for anyone just taking a peak at this thread who may be unfamiliar with strikethroughs...

 

Here is a picture of a strike through certified by NGC MS64 Mint Error Obverse Strike Through.

While its a good referance point for this discussion it should be noted that the variety of possible strike throughs are unending and varies obviously by what was in the way when the coin was struck!!

 

Post Mint Damaged Buff's.

You are certainly welcome to use the photo's I posted if you want.

Dave

 

Thank you very much, I won't post the url to avoid self promotion, if anyone is interested in the site you may pm me for the url .

 

OK Buffalo Hunter, and thanks for your explanation on what looks like a die break to me, cut but I guess I will bow to you you experts, who are all in accord that this is actually post mint damage.

Regards, Dave