I'm a Morgan guy, but have some interest in Indian head nickels (don't know why they call them nickel when they are 75% copper). Not looking for MS coins, just clean and readable...any suggestions where I should start? Thanks.
I think they are best collected in the VF range, unless you want to dedicate big dollars to the project. Condition rarity pushes many of the S mintmarks into the four-figure range.
I have the world's strangest complete set of Buffalos. I bought most of the common ones as a boy in VG with money I earned mowing lawns. Then I took a lengthy break to grow up. I bought most of the keys in much better condition. At some point I'll go back to upgrade. Biggest thing I'll tell you is strike quality is critically important. No particular favorite dealers for Buffalos.
Thanks again, I am already finding "S" mm's at inflated prices...I started a database of sorts for the goofy 3 legged 1937D, keeping track of both raw and slabbed and the prices are all over the place. Went to a recent show in Fredericksburg, VA and held a $70K piece in my hand...asked the guy if he would take 69K, then chuckled!
Are you coming up to Timonium show this Sunday ? I'll show you who has some buffalo's for sale. I'll be working the door at Ralph & Roses show.
So then, I guess half dimes were called nickels too? I think that they were called "nickel" for the metal content. The constables already had the patent on "coppers".
From the stories my grandfather told me, half dimes were called just that, half dimes. And a quarter was called 2 bites. He lived to a ripe old age and we was a child during the civil war. I'll take his word for it.
The first nickel was a 1866 shield nickel called a nickel not because of the denomination but because it was struck in nickel .250 grams of nickel and .750 grams of copper. A total weight of 5 grams. It was made of the same composition of the nickel 3 cent piece . Not to be confused with the 3 cent silver coin. If you Google this you'll find out why nickel was used. Or you can do a search here and read my write up on shield nickels. And I'll give you 3 guesses why nickel was introduced in to our coinage .
I have always loved The Buffalo nickels since I was a kid . The no date types were in our change all of the time, I wish that I would have been a serious collector back then. I am now collecting the high grade one's for my collection. Better late than never I guess.
