The U.S. & Ancients Coinage Auction
October 2, 2000

Buffalo Nickels

Lot 1611
1913. Type 1. NGC graded MS-66 Type I. Russet toning on the obverse, more colorful on the reverse, making this a beautiful example of our first buffalo nickel.
Estimated Value $90-110.

Lot 1612
1915 and 1916 (3 pieces). One of the 1916 pieces shows doubling on the date (but its not the rare double die issue of this year). Each grades Mint State 60 or better. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $100-UP.

Lot 1613
1916-S. MS-64. Frosty luster and lightly toned.
Estimated Value $275-325.

Lot 1614
1918. MS-64. A very choice, totally brilliant example.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 1615
1931-S. PCGS graded MS-65. One of the tough dates from the 1930s of the Buffalo nickels. Mint fresh and without toning.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1616
1936. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium quality. A common date in splendid condition, still in an old style PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $65-75.

Lot 1617
1937. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium quality. A superb coin, still in an old PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $20-30.

Rare 1937-D Buffalo Nickel - 3 Legged

Lot 1618 Click on Picture to EnlargeClick on Picture to Enlarge
1937-D. 3 legged. MS-60 or better. A stunning, well struck specimen, rich with natural golden mint luster. A lovely coin.

The Breen Encyclopedia provides an excellent description of this error which follows:
"...the 1937-D Three Legs variety was created by excessive regrinding of the die to remove clash marks. Die clashing is a common accident in any mint. A tiny metal fragment or the like comes into the hopper among blank planchets, thence to the feeder--where it jams the mechanism and delays or prevents a planchet from reaching the dies. At which point, the dies, having no blank to stamp, strike each other instead, often repeatedly, each leaving traces of their designs on the other. Routine procedure then is to stop the press, condemn and discard the dies which have become defaced by clashing, clear out the feeder, replace the dies with new ones, and resume normal operations. At the time of the 1937 accident, the pressman (a Mr. Young), then a newcomer, was under pressure to complete a quota, so instead of replacing a pair of clashed dies he took an emery stick and ground off the clash marks, in the process removing the bison's foreleg and weakening many other details. These coins escaped into sealed sacks among normal ones, in quantity, before inspectors condemned the dies and impressions. From mint sacks the Three Legs coins reached the Federal Reserve branch banks and the general public. Strictly mint state coins (full luster on the weak areas) are very rare, though specimens in VF to AU are always available for a price".
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Jefferson Nickels

Lot 1619
1942-P Type 2. PCGS graded Proof 65. Superbly struck and preserved, with yellow-gold toning around the periphery. In an old PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $50-60.

Lot 1620
1942 (2 pieces) and 1950. Each grades Proof 64 to 65. Both of the 1942 nickels are the regular issue, not the silver content planchets. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $70-100.