QUIZ: Why are the details missing on the Indian's head?

I noticed the slab and thought who would have this coin graded (probably authenticated) if it was one of the 4 (or combination) of provided possibilities without it having something special. I know.....everyone has seen low grade common coins slabbed.

 

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I think the hint "full luster, UNC" tilts heavily to #3.

 

I agree, it is a very special coin.

 

I take this that I’m on the right track, just haven’t got there yet. I’ll keep think’n.

 

I have to say #3, to localized for circulation wear, other details 2 strong for a weak strike, and last a worn die would have "raised" the level on the worn area so with the other 3 eliminated it has to be #3 a grease strike

 

The only one that makes sense to me is struck through schmutz. The periphery is strongly struck, it is uncirculated, a worn die would show a mushed out LIBERTY, since die wear is most severe closest to the rims. An uneven planchet that's thin in the middle would likely have "planchet laundry" marks that aren't struck out. The schmutz left what seems like a pretty smooth surface.

 

Would you consider these marks as PMD? I am not seeing any other marks in the fields. Of course the picture isn’t great. I would just like like your opinion. I’m still trying to make a better diagnosis. Thanks

 

To know if it is weakly struck, we would need to see the reverse. I go with filled die. Date and rim are sharp, luster exists.

 

Pretty sure those are hair detail.

 

One of the other possible causes I initially thought of could be a thin or defective planchet, but there are 2 things that rule that out - 1) no 'scratches' of the raw planchet and 2) the well struck areas of the 'lower' points and fields of the coin.

So what we have is a 'well-struck' coin that was struck by a grease (or some other gunk) filled die.

I'd love to see the reverse.

 

I was going to answer this at home today, but I will need to post the reverse by request on Monday when I get to work. The answer is down to two options as the "worn die" strike has been eliminated.

That leaves us with either #1 or #3. Does anyone reading this thread understand why it cannot be one of the other two options?

 

Usually a weak strike is only on one side, I think.

 

Yes...Do we get a prize if we answer correctly?

 

I'd love to give out prizes but the postage eats me alive. Be satisfied that a correct answer proves you know your stuff!

Now, you have raised a very good question that I never gave any thought to before. If a coin is weakly struck, should both sides be affected?

I'll save my thoughts for later.

 

Because you told us it wasn't #2...

 

We'll see when you post the reverse!!

 

While this one goes on for the guessing, I started to second guess my guess. I dug out my buffalo nickel book and minting/errors books and now I think I'll change my guess to #1 - obverse weakly struck. 1935P is known to have examples with weak central obverses. Also, a weak strike will show a poorly developed design rim where a grease strike will show a very well developed design rim. I think that's the clue I'm seeing in this "green lantern" photo.

 

manny9655, posted: "We'll see when you post the reverse!!"

NOT necessarily true! That's why I asked the question. I don't know the correct answer to this question because I never thought about it and so I never looked. However, I can say for sure that NOT ALL uncirculated coins that show the effects of a weakly struck coin (the loss of design) are weak on both sides.

 

On Morgan dollars, (something I know more about than buffs), there is a tendency for both the eagle's breast and the hair above Liberty's ear to be weak. Obviously these are two high relief points pretty much opposite each other.
I'm just wondering how this translates to the nickel shown. Some of the posters have mentioned other areas that are often weak on buffalos.
My first thought was weak strike, but I'm leaning now to grease filled die, based on the discussion.

 

What if the Reverse of the nickel is also weak? Will that affect your guess?