I wonder if the Speared Bison of today will turn into the Three Legged Buffalo of tomorrow? This is a very popular coin, with a cool noticable error and great eye appeal. Ten, twenty, fifty years from now I think it's quite possible the Speared Bisons will be very popular and expensive as oppose to coins like the Bugs Bunny Franklin. I finally broke down and bought one, well a few examples of this cool error coin. We will see.
I've seen 2 different so called speared buffs, one really looks like a spear all the way through the buffalo, I also saw a so called spear that was only under the buffalo and it looked like a clash mark to me.
I believe this WILL be the legend of 2005 but do hope some how, some way they can get an idea just how many are out there. Seems odd that no others have turned up outside of Texas? I broke down and bought one but it is a later strike as the die has started to wear and the spear is not as prominent as many of the earlier coins photograhed. It is there, with out a doubt, but really would like to have one thqt wqs struck earlier in the dies life!!! Guess this will do for now!
The main "speared bison" is the long die gouge on the "D". There is another speared on a "P", but this is a die crack, still a nice error. I have both and they make a great set. The one Speared Bison "D" I have is raw, I also puchased a slabbed ANACS 65 and a 64, but not have received them yet. I will compare strikes once I get them. I really think this is the ONE. What if you could buy 3 legged buffalos in MS for $100 each, would you?
You may have the normal speared bison. I just got my speared bisons anacs 65 , 64, and 3 raw all have the same "spear" It can be faint at certain angles. With good photography, light, and the right angle, you can get a nice photo of the whole spear. Very pleased with this variety, nice coins even the raw ones. Ebay is GREAT!!!!
ErrorCoins, I must agree with you about the light factor. Given the right angle and a little light makes all the difference in the world. I know I have the real McCoy but do think it is a later strike as the die is wearing down a bit? Considering buying another if prices would just break a little.
If I hold my MS 65 at the wrong angle the spear almost disappears. I think your strike may be fine, but It is also possible that you got a late stage struck coin. The prices are erratic right now. I think I got some really good deals but only time will tell.
Correct me if I am wrong, but given that this error is in fact a die gouge, isn't it unlikely that the coins will see any substantial increase in value? And, given that the number circulating is uncertain, isn't it likely that the value could decrease over time? Are there any examples of coins with die gouges that commanded substantial premiums and have increased dramatically in value over time?
Yes, it is a die gouge THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE! I think, in the end, we will be amazed at what this coin will do. Rather than argue back and forth on the issue I think sitting back and letting time pass by will be sufficient on this one. Also see huge increases on most of this nickel program, regardless of how many the mint cranks out, as the hoarding is across the board and in many areas of the country NONE are reaching circulation. I would suggest picking a "sell" value on all your rolls or proofs and when the price gets there....SELL. The Peace Medal P rolls are now near the $18 mark as dealers stock has disappeared and I can already tell you most dealers DO NOT HAVE buffalo nickel stock that they feel good about at this time! How do they get stock 6 months from now, 12 months from now, 2 years from now? It will take escalating prices to get folks to put them back on the market and the majority of the folks hoarding these rolls ARE NOT coin collectors and they don't have a clue to where they could even sell a roll. Bluntly put, any time any thing is issued as a one time deal for a limited period (6 months in this case) there is no place for prices to go but up. Lets wait a year (next summer) and see where all of this takes us.
cdcda, One other thing I would like to point out is this ERROR has already seen an increase in value. It has been CLASSIFIED as an error and authenticated and graded as the same. It is HERE to STAY and will be on the books forever! I have had folks tell me the buffalo nickel will never be worth anything? They were worth more than a nickel the day they were released! Shoot, I know dealers who are paying quite a premium just to get them for their customer base! Sold him a few thousand myself! Take a look at Ebay now that it has settled down a bit....are they worth anything? Guess the whole answer here would be each one of us own definition of "worth"? This nickel, at this time, is making a better return than anything your bank or stock broker could promise in the last 3 months! Getting a dime apiece is doubling your money isn't it? How about 20 cents? How about $5.00 for a proof or $300 plus for a graded error? This nickel is ALL over the boards and it appears some of you can't see the forest for the trees?
Wasn't the three 3 legged buffalo just excessive die polishing? It's only die polishing so it can't be worth much. Just thoushands.
I have one of those worthless, die polished, 3 legged buffalo nickels and wish I had another one or two so they would be a sore spot in someone else's collection. I would be glad to hide the dirty old things here at my house!
I think my point is being misunderstood here. To state it differently, die gouges are a relatively common error and as such do not command a huge premium in most cases. I do not specialize in error coins, but I cannot immediately think of any coin with a die gouge that has turned out in the long run to be a "valuable" error coin such as the three-legged Buffalo. Yes, thanks to massive collector interest in the new quarters and nickels people are very excited about this particular error - but will interest and values hold or is the current situation temporary? Only time will tell, but I was really curious if there was any other example of a common die gouge error coin that turned into a highly sought after and expensive error coin.
This die gouge is huge, all the way thru the Bison. Perfect placement. Excellent Eye Appeal. Single 6 month issue. Super popular design. I'll take my chances with the five that I bought. Would you rather have a bison die gouge or a wisconson die gouge? Wisconsons cost more than the Bisons. Not for long, IMO. I'll take the BISON.
