A friend of mine was working on a roof and dug out an 18X7 Indian head. Of course the 3rd digit had been struck by something (nail?). Anyway, I have it, and I could always see the 1877. But when I took it to my old LCS, he said it's an 1887, and I can see it now. DREAM CRUSHED.
I have a sack full of no date buffalo’s I have collected over the years. A while back I went thru a mind numbing experiment while filling a book of soaking them in a homemade batch of peroxide and vinegar I think it was. A few dates would “sort of” appear. After weeks of stinking my kitchen up I threw in the towel. I now delight in handing them to kids. Far more rewarding and less taxing on my remaining brain cells.