Is this a PROOF 1915 buffalo nickle

On the reverse of the nickel, to the left of E Pluribus Unum, if that's not a scratch then that may be a die clash which is seen on business strikes. But a closeup photo would make it easier to see. If you bought it from a seller, then maybe the seller took a better photo which would be easier to tell.

 

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Only you know the origin of the coins you have, but both gives me concerns from the photos. You might weigh the coins and check the weight and if the nickel can be attracted to a magnet, as it will be checked at the Graders and will cost you money if it is a problem. It is hard to tell from a small photo, so if you haven't , you might show, but not sell, to a local coin dealer. Jim

 

I also was skeptical myself because it looks so nice and checked weight and checked with a magnet, all good. It was from my grandfathers collection so I think it's legit

 

What concerns you exactly?

 

That is good news. As you will find here, people buy them from swap meets, grifters, ebay , and aliexpress, and then try to get positive posts they can quote when selling it. But as you asked, I felt by photos, that the surface of the cent were a little rough and could be a old copy, since they have been around for decades, and the buffalo just looked too bright as even nickel tends to tones over 100 years. Jim

 

OK, I hope you don't mind but I posted your image but enlarged so that others may better help you. The vertical mark next to E PLURIBUS UNUM, if not a scratch, may be a die clash that's typical of business strikes. The neck area has an interesting two or three-pronged mark (die clash?) - maybe that's something to investigate.

That said, the E PLURIBUS UNUM is very well defined and the coin is a sharp strike overall regardless of whether or not it's proof or business. Others will probably know more about buffalo nickels than me.

 

Umm, no.

 

Once a proof, always a proof!

 

Problem is that it isn't.

 

This is only true for business strikes. Numismatic etiquette says Proofs should only be handled with gloved hands.

 

No that's incorrect. Proof isn't a grade, it's the conditions and materials used to make the coin.

 

Two problems with your coin that lead me to believe that your coin is a circulation strike:

1) the rims are rounded and not squared. A proof will have squared rims and they are not difficult to see in most cases.

2) the finish is brilliant. Proofs from 1915 would have a matte finish.