1920 Buffalo Nickel help

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Jerseyb
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1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#1 Unread post by Jerseyb »

Hi everyone. I bought this from a coin shop. It seems like its in UNC condition and was considering sending it to PCGS. But I have a concern with the obverse. In the pictures I have circled the potential issues. I didn't notice these in the shop. I'm not sure if its a die crack or damage or what. It may be nothing and I am over thinking. I'm pretty new to this hobby. Is this worth sending in?

Thanks
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SensibleSal66
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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#2 Unread post by SensibleSal66 »

Hello . The minor hairline die cracks will Not affect the grading of this coin . Having a coin or Not having a coin graded is a personal choice .If the Value of the Coins at least 100 -150 dollars in my opinion .
Member of CONECA
" All replies are my opinion based on experience"
Casual Collector 40+ years , 10 years Error coins ( still learning).

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Earle42
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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#3 Unread post by Earle42 »

Beware of a very misunderstood mindset concerning these companies:

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life. Here is some beginners' fishing tackle. Its worth your time to read.

Here is more info concerning the actual nature of the grading companies to help people make better educated decisions.😊

Thinking of Slabbing? Make sure you understand the Facts...or You Could Lose Money.


1. The grading companies are not a way that the majority of people, even those with a great deal of experience who know what they are doing, are going to be able to use in order to make huge personal profits. Many people start using grading companies thinking they will find a way to finance their hobby, but they learn a hard lesson quickly.

2. Watch some of Daniel's videos where he gets pieces back form the grading companies. Note even people who live, eat, breath, and deal coins for a living (like Daniel) can accurately predict what grade the companies will give. And...the "fault" (not really a fault) is in a widespread mistaken perception people get from being exposed to all the slabs being sold nowadays.

Coin grading companies are a business out to make a profit - this is why they exist. They use a system where (allegedly, but in reality its normally two) three graders look at each coin and give an opinion. The company videos showing the process make you believe this is a relaxed paced process of studying each coin. In fact one PCGS video shows a number of guys sitting around a table discussing what they think a specific coin should be graded as (on youtube somewhere - sorry no link). Uh uh.

If you take a PCGS graded coin slabbed as MS64, break it out, and resubmit it to PCGS, you are never guaranteed the same grade again. The slabbed coin might come back MS62 (bad day for graders), 63, 64, 65, 66 (great day for you!). This is b/c the process is all subjective: No scientific/verifiable standards or methods are used. Personally having talked with former graders (granted - its been awhile), the process is very rushed since they told me graders are paid by how many coins they can get through in a day.

But..this is all hearsay without proof. So...
Grading the Coin Graders

Here is another good read from someone there at the start of the grading companies:
Hobby negative impacts from slabbing companies

3. People also seem to think grading companies will examine a coin to see if they can find an error and then slab it as such. But again, they only ONLY GRADE coins. The companies will NOT try to find ID an error for you. You must first ID the error yourself, check to see if the company you want to use recognizes that specific error, PAY them to verify the error on the label, and then you may or may not actually get what you pay for!. The companies have a bad reputation for attributing errors correctly.

Link to and read (download if you want it) the pdf link in my signature as an eye opening example.

The verifiable data presented shows trusting people have spent thousands of dollars on many slabbed coins that are not what the companies claims/slabbed the coins to be.

You don't have to throw in the towel over these companies...but education about the reality of them will put you on the right pathway to dealing with them in a legit way without losing money in the process.

And…if you just like to collect slabbed coins for what they are, which makes losing/making money from slabs irrelevant, then of course enjoy them!" 😊
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#4 Unread post by Jerseyb »

Thank you both for the replies.

To Earle: I understand what you are saying and I completely agree. Grading is completely subjective. Sending coins in is gambling to an extent. I've never sent any in before and I'd like to try my hand at it. I might get crushed on the grades but you never know unless you try. As far as my nickel is concerned, I want to ask if anyone thought the graders would consider my coin damaged? If it's damaged I would just be throwing money away.

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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#5 Unread post by thairunts »

I don't see anything in these photos that would disqualify a number grade - but *DISCLAIMER* you really have to hold a coin to have a reasonable assurance. I've had coins returned with all sorts of unusual notes - roller marks, color concerns, etc... Just because I don't see any hairlines from cleaning in your photos, that doesn't mean that they aren't there.

The grading question is different for everyone. I tend to hoard, so I'm not really worried about margins and making money. I track my basis for my kids who may sell coins when I die. If I love the coin and want to protect myself from accidental damage / or having a rare variety spelled out, I'll do it. Sellers generally want to know how much they are into a coin, so they can assess grading fees into their profit expectations.

Example of odd reasons to slab: This year, I'm teaching my 10 y/o about grading and he likes dimes, so I'll use my PCGS certificate to send in high end dimes and playing the "guessing game" with him. Least accurate guesses pays for ice-cream. :)

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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#6 Unread post by Earle42 »

Sorry the pics get fuzzy wen I try to look closer. The left side might be a die crack?

And as to them grading it or not...well...it depends on whether or not the two graders recognize the places in question as errors or not. This too is a gamble.

See the PDF in my signature for a real eye opener using PCGS data from the website. Designer's initials showing on multiple coins that the graders labeled as no designer's initials.

The systems are verifiably far from being what people (generally) want (to believe) them to be.

Also make sure you know the slabs are not the safest way to store coins. Slabs are not airtight. This is another misconception. Just store with silica gel.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

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Daniel
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Re: 1920 Buffalo Nickel help

#7 Unread post by Daniel »

Before buying coins like this you should ponder why the coin shop didn't send it off, since a graded coin is worth more and a coin shop is in the business of making money. I do understand some dealers don't submit every coin or coins at all, but it must be considered especially if the dealer sells graded and ungraded coins.

I am not sure what I think of this coin, it could be AU58 but the luster is a bit off for me, but since I am looking at images I can't be sure.

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