Hey guy since there is so much numismatic knowlegde here I dug this out. I had put it back several years ago becuase of what the surfaces looked like. On all areas of the coin from fields to devices I have never seen such a smoother texture on a Buffalo. I have found several matte proofs in major auction catalogs the surfaces look the same. It looks like someone at the time of minting took a knife or tool and heavily X'd across both obverse and reverse. Please give me your opinions on the chance of it maybe being an impaired proof. Thanks
I'll have to get you a better pic as the surfaces have a distinct matte finish not like hundreds of buffalos I've seen and have in my collection. I just wanted to know if it might be possible with the deep scratches x'd into the nickel that maybe it wasn't quite proof quality and they threw it into the working bins. Simple question honest and not knowing looking for an answer. Was the question stated in any other way?
Maybe with a large, high quality pic we could see what you are talking about. But a coin like that would really need to be seen in hand to determine of it was an impaired Proof. I think it a more likely explanation though that when the coin was struck it was with new dies - resulting in a Proof-like business strike coin. This may explain the surfaces you see now.
Thank you GDJMSP that was the kind of answer I was looking for. I could not think of business strike to save my life. I'll try and get a shot out in sun light tomarrow so I can zoom in on the surfaces. I'm just saying that I've collected for forty years and the surfaces are very different from a business strike. They could be fresh dies and that could account for the finess of the surfaces. I thank you for a sincere and teaching answer. The bluesmanmoney
I look forward to the pic. But I won't be able to look at it for 3 or 4 days - I'm goin to the show I'll respond Monday latest
GDJMSP I just moved back to Texas from Clerarfield, I kinda miss Utah I left lots of fine friends and people. We may have run into each other as I made most all the coin shows at Salt Lake. Best to you. I like your motto Knowlege.....................share it
Small world aint it. We no doubt did see each other at one of the shows - if you recall ever seeing anyone who looked just like - <------------ that - well that was me That's been my sig line as long as I've been on the net - early '90s. Rather doubt it'll change
