Plz look at this. What does 'smoothed' mean? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1916-BUFFA...626930?hash=item3b38007e72:g:GasAAOSwhXZdUunL
In this case a better word would be damaged, the surface of the coin has been altered and it won't straight grade.
@Neosynephrine, what @green18 & @Collecting Nut stated is correct. But that doesn't necessarily mean don't buy it...it depends on your collecting goals & philosophy. For example, at the opening bid of 19.95 (w/free ship) it's probably $15 - $20 less than a typical AU with no problems. So if your budget warrants & you're not particularly interested in selling it for a profit (read: if & when you sell, there will likely be fewer buyers for a "details" coin), you may consider it (but only @ the opening bid)...it really is a nice looking specimen (even given its shortcoming, which right now only PCGS knows for sure). If you only want a representative Buff. nickel, this could be the way to go. On the other hand, if money is no object & you want to build a collection of superior specimens, then hold out for a problem free coin...there are lots out there. JMHO, good luck & happy hunting!
"Smoothed" usually means there was some damage, or maybe some bad contact marks, on the coin. Someone will use a tool to smooth out the field, hiding the damage or problems on the surface. This is a problem coin, and you should avoid it (especially on a very common coin like this).
