Guess the grade-1938-D 5¢

I went to the local coin shop and picked up a few things yesterday so lets play guess the grade.
What we have is a PCGS graded 1938-D buffalo nickel with nice gold/champagne colored toning. It is your job to guess what grade PCGS assigned it. I am a little worried that there MIGHT be verdigris on the obverse of the coin. Can some one please confirm/deny what I am suspecting. If it is verdi will PCGS do a money back thing like NGC? :hammer:
Now for the pics.



Whatcha guys think about it.

 

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I'll say it's MS-65.

It could be verdigris. If it is, it can always go back to PCGS under their guarantee.

 

You forgot to vote in the poll.

 

Isn't that PVC? Otherwise it looks like some of the lincolns I see where the color changes as it the metal was removed on some gem coins. I just saw some in my local shop yesterday.

 

My guess would be MS-64. The scratches on the reverse are the detracters for me. The obverse looks as though there are some surface issues with the holder but not the coin. I do not see anything on this coin I would consider verdigris only signs of toning in the process.

 

it appears to have some marks on the face there, so I'm going to say a 63.

 

I will now reveal the grade....
PCGS MS66

 

No way is it really a 66.

 

Hmm maybe those marks on the obv are just breaks in the toning then. It's still a real nice coin, I like the toning, especially on the rev.

 

It is really a 66. I paid $60 for it yesterday. I tried to surprise Garrett with a coin and it looks like I might have made a boo-boo and trusted the slab since I'm a newbie. He was happy to get it, then immediately concerned with the spots on it. I thought it was pretty and kind of yellow. Oh well. I should have bought the O mint Morgan. Should we return it and try again???

These are the spots that concern G.


Here is a pic of the coin in its slab.

 

Love the gold toning , Garrett PM me next time you post a guess the grade , I'm always lost on the internet and need the time to find them , nice coin , I have a PCGS 66 38-D too , seems like they weren't struck that well that year , at least not like the '37-P was .
rzage

 

There appears to be a thumb print on the obverse and that may have contaminated it and brought about the growth.

It's still purdy! :thumb:

Ribbit

 

It is a well struck coin , but if Garrett is unhappy with the spotting , you could maybe call PCGS , or return it , also if you want to adopt a 55 year old son , I'm willing .:eat:
rzage:hatch::hammer:

 

Oh no! I have a 52 year old husband that is more trouble than my 13 year old son. It's way cheaper for G's coin hobby than Chuck's Gibson guitar hobby. Chuck turned 50 and wanted one little acoustic Taylor. That has turned into 2 Taylors and 2 Gibsons and 3 Fender amps :rolling: :hug: At least Garrett's stuff lives at the bank and doesn't require dusting. Chuck has an entire room that takes up his stuff. I finally gave up and let him have a man cave.

 

FreakyGarrettC,
The question here is "Do you like this coin." Wholesale bid on a MS-65 is $50. My sheet does not show MS-66 so my thought is, it would be higher. PCGS is one of the better graders and if they have it at MS-66 even though I think there are some issues with what appears to be scratches on the reverse. (These may just be on the slab) They have had this coin in hand. The toning looks to be me toning in process meaning it will tone more from the areas already shown. $60 retail for this coin in a MS-66 or MS-65 grade is very reasonable.

Personally I like the looks of this coin. Your primary goal should be, does this fit the eye appeal expectation's for your collection. This should be the main question for any purchase. Cost although an important factor should be a secondary issue(IMHO). So ask Garrette when you give it him, he may find it very attractive. If not take him with you to pick the next one out. If the dealer is a good one he should credit this coin toward another purchase.

 

this is what i am concerned about. those marks definitely have green. pvc/verdi or something else.

Freaky,

I would not buy coins that look questionable to you. Only buy coins when you are 100% sure that you like them and when you are sure they dont have problems. just my 2 cents

 

My Mom got this as a surprise for me. I was looking at it through the case and I could not tell it had any verdi at all.

This coin truly glows in your hand with its luster and toning so it sucks that it is damaged.

 

what are all the marks on the face? I go with Doug on this (big surprise there). I can't see this over an MS63.

If that is a MS66 how would you grade this?

 

Garrett,

I personally think the coin is overgraded and lacking in eye appeal. If you don't like it, I think you should return it. I don't know how this coin fits into your collection but I will say that I think any MS66 1938-D Buffalo is a bad pickup. The 1938-D Buffalo is very affordable in the MS67 grade with total population of almost 3,000 coins. In MS66, the population is through the roof at over 41,000 coins. ASE's in MS69 are more rare than that and they sell for $25-$30.

My advice if looking for a Buffalo Nickel type coin is to search out a nice affordable 1938-D MS67. They are not hard to find. Here is one that sold on Heritage earlier this month for $150 including buyers premium.

http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1122&Lot_No=7906#photo

The difference in eye appeal is undeniable and the MS67 has some legitimate rarity. The 1938-D is IMO a very common coin. When buying a common coin, look for something that makes the coin uncommon compared to it's peers. In my case, that almost always means spectacular rainbow toning. Some look for incredible strike or luster, but always avoid the common looking common coins.

Just my 2 cents.

Paul