I got my new nickels today and opened a roll from each mint and they all look like this. The forehead marks look like there was not enough material or not struck hard enough. But since they are from different mints I am at a loss. And when these get into circulation they will be smooth like the old buffalo nickels. And the buffalo could have had more detail. Looks to me like they are fuzzy. These pictures are the best from the Denver roll. Gary
You ordered business strikes and you got business strikes. The mint will not guarantee a certain grade. I have not seen these in person yet - it is quite possible yours are standard.
This almost makes me WANT to open my bags, which I have already stored away, as I can't image 2000 nickels looking that poorly struck? I can't help but wonder just what I have put up for safe keeping. I have heard other reports of very poor quality and these photo's kind of substantiate those reports. Also heard we would be extremely lucky to ever see an MS-68 but I find that hard to imagine, especially with a new set of dies. Guess we will find out!
Whoever designed the obv. must have had one goal in mind, "How exactly can I make his nose as BIG as possible and still get my design chosen?" Seriously his nose covers 1/4 of the coin! That's just rediculous!
Let this be a lesson to us all. We want new designs and even wish the old Buffalo nickel could return for good. However, it is not just the artistic styles or abilities that have changed. The mint now considers “coinability” as a factor in designing and striking coins. Relief’s have been lowered, details have been adjusted to compensate, and the result is that the Mint is hard pressed to turn out a really nice coin even when it has the basic ingredients. There are many exceptions, such as the SE – which are great even in “business strike” format. And, most proof coins (including these new Buffs, no doubt) look good. But, for business strikes…….the good old days are gone for good, I am afraid. P.S. – that buffalo looks sort of pathetic. I don’t even think it will wear well. IF, they circulate at all, I think it will just turn into an ugly silhouette in no time. At least the old Buffalo nickels still look good in worn condition. .
Well, I was at the nickel exchange, and I opened up a roll of philly mint nickels, and they look pretty good. the bison is very detailed, except in the face. I bought form the Mint kiosk a set of the rolls for Henrietta Holsman Fore to sign and noticed that the stricks on the Phillys were much sharper. Imagine that. Ususally it's the Denver Mint coins that are the better stricks. The only problem is that all the buffalos in that roll were missing a leg. Oh that made me mad. I told Mrs. Fore about it, and she graciously exchanged my coins for a new roll.
Now THAT'S what I call SERVICE! I hope they recalled all the other nickels that day to make sure none slipped into circulation. We don't need any three legged buffalos running (or hopping) around. Although, from looking at the design on line, I think it is a five legged Buffalo that is pictured.
I realized they are business strikes. What gets me is that this coin is the best of the roll. I found a 1964-d nickel on the parking lot that looks better than these. The peace and keel boat nickels were of much better quality. If my nickels are the standard, then getting an MS-anything will be very special....unless I use a certian grading service out of Ohio ! Gary
Let this be a lesson to us all!!! never open mint rolls of Buffalo nickels, just inflate the price by 15% and resell them. Im not sure what everyone expected? the mint has not produced any coins with real quality since they lowered the relief and sustituted worthless metals for the silver and copper of yeaster years !! Rick
Ditto At one time, US coins (business strikes) had a look of real quality. Now they all look like junk from third-world countries.
gwinco I think your talking about all of the bag marks and nicks...when a coin comes from the mint it DOES NOT get tender care with white gloves....I think the coin looks nice... Speedy
Interesting...as I was hoping that the first reports of the Buffalo Nickels were going to be good. My goal is to acquire handfull of proofs and high end strikes...because I'm from Buffalo and it will look good with all of my Bills stuff. Still...I am partial to the old reverse, but the new Jefferson Obverse has a lot of promise. We shall see...
The original James Earl Fraser reverse (and obverse, for that matter) was a masterpiece. IMHO, nothing comes close. I like the new Bison nickel. To me, it's a welcome change from the old-style Jefferson nickel we've become so accustomed to over the years. I think the Bison design is excellent even though I would like to see it in a deeper recess like older coins. I feel that doing so would have really brought out the design. But, I also understand the Mint's desire to extend the life of the dies. So, after all is said and done, it's a good compromise. As for the obverse, Jefferson was a remarkable man, but his portrait on the nickel was becoming anything but remarkable. I think he might appreciate the facelift... And, don't worry, as more and more rolls and Mint Sets get broken up, there are going to be plenty of high-grade 2005 Bisons to go around. Let's all enjoy what the new nickel represents: a celebration of the Westward Journey of Lewis and Clark. But, don't get used to the new obverse design... remember, it's changing again next year... ... and we only have the Bison design for the next few months!!!
I agree high quality Bison nickels are going to be hard to find in business strike bags and rolls. I opened a mint 2 roll set and found: (I'm no coin grading expert) a couple P in MS 63/64 and a couple D in MS 61/62. Everything else pretty much bit the buffalo pile. I'm happy to get what I got and will keep the best. The worst I thought about selling on Ebay, but I have a concious. Gave my 2 kids 5 each of them to hand out at school and felt bad about that. They really are bad.
WOW, I just got 2 bags last night that I didn't plan on opening but now I kinda want to see what I got? The proofs look great but I will have to see how the business strikes fair
I like the coin too. It's the first time I've ordered rolls of the coins. (As I'm sure it is for a lot of people) Last year I was satisfied with the nickels I got in the Mint and Proof sets. This year I had to have a few more. Too bad I have to wait till April till mine ship.
To me the "old" buffalo nickel was a much better looking coin than the 2005 buffalo. I also prefer the original T. Jefferson profile over the 2005 model. One year and they are supposed to go back to the original profile.
Received my nickel rolls a few days ago. I am pretty pleased with the two I opened. The other two will be put away for the Grandkids. I wonder if any of the new buffalo nickels will ever see circulation?
