Buffalo Nickel: A Truly American Coin

The Buffalo Nickel is a Tremendous Design to wear on a Shirt or to adorn any kind of Room Decor! Why? Not only is it a wonderful representation of an extraordinarily interesting time in American History, the engraving is stunning! Step into a room displaying a Buffalo Nickel and you'll be sure of being involved in some interesting conversation!

The Buffalo Nickel is one of the most interesting coins ever minted. CafePress has a nice selection of Coin Shirts and Coin Gifts featuring the Buffalo Nickel.

The value of a coin is based on two factors. The first is how rare the coin is. This is a combination of how many coins were originally minted, and what happened to them. Some are destroyed accidentally. Some have been recalled by the government. Collectors have taken some out of circulation. As a particular type of coin has fewer examples available, it becomes more valuable.

The other factor is the physical condition of a coin. The closer to perfect a specimen is, the more valuable it becomes.

So a rare, perfect coin is much more valuable than a common, worn coin. In fact, a worn rare coin may be more valuable than a perfect common coin.

Here we are going to discuss a coin's condition.

The American Numismatic has developed a grading system to describe the condition of a coin. What I will discuss here is coins that have been minted to go into general circulation, released. The conditions of the coins are represented by names, as well as a combination of letters and numbers. I have summarized some general conditions here, along with some benchmarks, along with a description of what a Buffalo Nickel in that state would look like.

Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
This indicates a coin in perfect, new condition. It shows no trace of handling, wear, or contact with other coins.

Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)
This is an above average uncirculated coin. It may be brilliant, or it may be lightly toned. There are very few contact marks either on either surface of the coin or on the rim.

Choice Uncirculated (MS-63)
This coin has some distracting contact marks and/or blemishes in the prime focal areas of one or both surfaces. The luster of the coin may be impaired.
There is no trace of wear on this nickel, and any blemishes evident are very light.

Uncirculated (MS-60)
This coin has no trace of wear, but it may show several contact marks, and the surface of the coin may lack luster, or even be spotted.
There is no trace of wear on this buffalo nickel, but there may be several blemishes (more obvious than those mentioned above) evident.

Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55)
There is evidence of friction on the high points of the coin's design (the high point of the cheek and the bison's hip and flank), but most of the mint luster remains.

About Uncirculated (AU-50)
This coin shows traces of light wear on many high points of the coin. At least half of the original mint luster is still present.
This nickel only shows traces of light wear on the high points of the design. (especially the hair above and to the left of the forehead and the cheekbone, as well as the bison's tail, hip, and around the horn.) Half of the mint luster is still present.

Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45)
The coin exhibits light overall wear on the highest points of the coin (As mentioned above, as well as wear on the horn...although the horn is still nearly complete.) . Some of the original mint luster is still evident. All design details are still very clear and sharp.

Extremely Fine (EF-40)
There is light wear throughout the design, but all features of the design are still sharp and well-defined. Although not an essential element to the the definition of this grade, some traces of mint luster may still exist.
The bison's horn, hair, and flank are all lightly worn, and there is slight wear evident on the Indian's hair ribbon.

Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
Light, even wear on the surface and highest parts throughout the design. All major features of the design, as well as al lettering remain sharp. There is some wear on the feathers and braid.

Very Fine (VF-20)
While all major details of the design remain clear, there is moderate wear on high points of the coin's design.
Much of the bison's horn is visible, and the Indian's cheekbone is flattened considerably. The feathers still show some detail. The point of the horn may not be visible.

Fine (F-12)
There is moderate to considerable even wear. The design remains bold, and the overall appearance of the coin is still pleasing to the eye.
The bison's horn and tail are smooth, but they are still partially visible. The obverse rim remains intact. Although the rim is still complete, it has been worn flat in spots.

Very Good (VG-8)
The coin is well worn with the main features of the design remaining clear and bold, although they have been worn somewhat flat.
The bison's horn is worn nearly flat. The word LIBERTY is merging with the rim.

Good (G-4)
This coin is heavily worn. The design is still visible, but many of the details are flat, and the design is faint in some areas.
Legends and date are readable, but the horn of the Bufflao do not show. The rim has been worn flat to the tops of the letters.

About Good (AG-3)
This coin is very heavily worn with portions of the lettering, date, and legend have been worn smooth. In many instances, the date is barely readable.

So look at your coin, estimate its condition, then visit the website of the Professional Coin Grading Service and take a look at the PCGS estimate of possible values.

From the time my Grandfather gave me my first coin collection, I have been fascinated with the beauty of coins. The intricacy of the engraving, and the reproduction of that engraving on a tiny piece of metal is somewhat of a wonder to me.

When I was in Boy Scouts, my Coin Collecting Merit Badge counselor asked me what it was I enjoyed about the hobby. I told him that in my opinion coins were fine sculpture to be enjoyed by the general population. I couldn't get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a regular basis, but I could reach into my pocket and pull out some coins. Hand my my magnifying glass, and I was ready to appreciate some incredible artwork. Mr. Verity looked surprised, but had to agree.

Coin jewelry and accessories, whether actual coins or simply reproductions, give a person the opportunity to express his love of art, of history, and to just plain look good.

Take a look at some of these and see if you don't agree!

Indian Nickel Belt Buckle

- $ 16.95
Great gift idea for a collector of Indian artifacts or coins. This round belt buckle is a replica of the old Indian nickel coin. Designed to fit a 1-1/2 inch belt. This pewter belt buckle is approximately 3 inches wide x 3 inches high

Buffalo Nickel Belt Buckle - $ 16.95
Great gift idea for a coin collector. This unique belt buckle is a replica of the old buffalo nickel coin. Designed to fit a 1-1/2 inch belt. This pewter belt buckle is approximately 3 inches wide x 3 inches high.

Nickel Collage Belt Buckle - $ 16.95
Perfect gift for a coin collector. This unique shaped belt buckle showcases a collage of buffalo nickels. Designed to fit a 1-1/2 inch belt. This pewter belt buckle is approximately 3-1/4 inches wide x 2-1/4 inches high

Before making any purchase through an online auction, you need to make sure that you are protecting yourself both from the potential of unscrupulous sellers and your own oversights and errors. Make sure you know exactly what you're buying. Research your seller and look at his feedback. Be sure that you understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase
Read the details in item listings. When you finish, read them again. Understand exactly what it is you are bidding on. If something is not clear, contact the seller...and make sure that you save the message so that you have something to fall back on should a dispute arise.

Figure delivery costs into your final price. A coin that you purchase for $5, which has a true value of $6.50 is not a good deal if you spend an additional $5 on shipping! Check with the seller to make sure he will insure the item when it ships.

Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller
Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have? Realize that a 95% positive rating may not be a very good track record when the rest of the sellers in the industry have a 99.5% positive rating. That means that the seller with the 95% rating has ten times the complaints per sale as the seller with the 99.5% rating. Look for genuine feedback whenever possible. Specifics, not just, "Good eBay seller."

Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection
In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

The vast majority of eBay transactions go through without a hitch, and buyers are very happy with their purchases...but remember...you're dealing with someone you've never even laid eyes on. Take precautions and chances of your being one of the few unhappy people will diminish greatly!

Buffalo Head Nickel Cufflinks--Available in "Silver" or "Silver" with a gold rim. Very sharp!

Buffalo Nickel "Sacred White Buffalo" (1913-1938 Two Tone U.S. Coin Tie Tack. The White Buffalo has always been very sacred and meaningful to the Native American. Some believe that the White Buffalo was sent from the Creator to bless all that came in contact with it. Some also believed that the White Buffalo would bring prosperity and good luck. This coin comes mounted as a tie tack and presented in a nice jewelry box.

Buffalo Nickel 1913 - 1938 Two Tone Coin Ball Marker This real coin is first layered in pure bright silver. Then, by hand, the figure is highlighted and brought to life with rich, pure 24KT gold. This breathtaking and exclusive work turns the coin into a stunning and true work of art. Each coin is hermetically sealed against wear in a clear, hard acrylic coating and is then turned into a beautiful golf ball marker that is held onto an antique gold hat clip with the strongest of magnets available. These can also be clipped onto your belt. For that golfer who has almost everything.

The Buffalo Nickel proved to be an extremely popular foundation for amateur engravers. Their alteration of the obverse side of the coin into "hobo" images gave their creations the name "Hobo Nickels." The hobby of creating and collecting these coins is so popular that The Hobo Nickel Society has sprung up. Their website provides some interesting images for fans of coin art.