I have what I believe is a 1916 Double Die Obverse buffalo with the date completely worn off. The diagnostics are correct (I have owned another 16 DDO, Good details) with the doubling on obverse features. The question is, will anyone slab it without a date? Does it need to be acid-dated for NCS/ANACS to slab it? I don't have photos yet, I will try to post later but let's assume it's the real deal, let me know what you think.
I think that acid dating it will reduce any value. The other diagnostic which should be there even if the date is completely gone is the doubled rear feather. See this URL for feather, I didn't want to just include it as it isn't mine. http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/images/offerings/Nickels/1916-16_5c_Raw/obv.jpg Jim
Saying you have a 1916 doubled (not double) die obverse buffalo nickel with the date worn off is like saying I have something but the something we value it for in the first place is not visable. This makes little to no sence to me. Time to move on to the next coin.
Thanks for your absolute lack of any help, Trey, I'm glad there are other posters who actually wish to help rather than spit out their worthless "coin syntax" knowledge to me.
I would suspect that they (the grading companies) would need to be able to see the date to determine if it's original or not. There is too much errant doubling and mechanical doubling that can very closely resemble the doubling shown for them to holder the coin on that alone. If you chose to go the nic-a-date way you might end up with something or you might not. It's a real gamble with that stuff.
Even with Nic-a-date, so much of the area would have to be consumed to even reveal the strongest part of any doubling would make it difficult to judge value. The doubling on the 16DDO date was very wide spread, and should be easy for a specialist to recognize. That said, one can say no more without some large photos. If no date, then at least photos of the feathers, chin/throat, and braid. Jim
I agree that the doubling on these pieces is not just confined to the date... but for all intents and purposes getting the coin slabbed in a details holder would most likely require it to be identifiable by seeing the date to verify it as an 1916. Nic-a-dater 16/16's still brings a couple of hundred bucks.
I must be missing something here. I just don't understand how you cannot have something and have it. I know there is other areas doubled perhaps but in the end what do you have but a whole lot of nothing. It's like saying a 16/16 but you can't see either 16 anymore??? We have seen 1917 DDO-001 Lincoln's almost like this and I guess I just don't get it??? The doubling on a doubled die is what we crave to see - if it's not there???? I out of this one I simply don't get it - is it that it was once, could have been one, might be one but the primary focus area that we so long to see is not there??????? So do we hope it will appear, far, far away from here but maybe, could be??? I swear I do not get this - technically or clinically I think I can get there but why would we???
Heritage auctions have sold several acid treated 1916 DDO buffalo nickels ranging from over 400 dollars to over 800 dollars each.
Because not just the date, but the entire profile is doubled on a 16/16 Buff. The date does not necessarily need to be there.
