Buffalo Nickel Expert request...

[LincolnLover-migration]

I'm trying to understand the values on Buffalo Nickles. Particularly, I'm trying to understand why the 1914 D is wholesale valued 4 times greater than the 1926 S in good condition when there were 4 times as many minted. I understand the differences at the AU-MS levels for the two, but the differences at the common levels is giving me fits.

 

Can anyone recommend a good history of the Buffalo Nickel, or clear this up for me?

[TomB]

Buffalo nickels are not my niche, but I would imagine that the 1914-D as an issue saw extensive use and abuse with relatively few saved with appreciable meat left while the 1926-S, although having a lower mintage, might have been pulled from circulation with remaining meat at a much greater frequency than the 1914-D. Therefore, the extant numbers of 1926-S might be far greater in this grade range than the 1914-D.

[MarkFeld]

One thing to keep in mind is that scarcity and value are not based just upon the original mintage's. But rather, upon surviving populations, as well as supply and demand.

[LincolnLover-migration]

Mark:

 

I get the supply and demand part. (Look at the prices that people are paying for 2009 nickels and dimes right now). The surviving population part gets me though. I wonder if the weirdness comes from the weaker strikes in the early years of the series compared to later years. Maybe in the lower grades finding a dated '14 is harder because the dates are often worn off. Maybe this was less of a problem in '26. I'm hoping someone knows about a good book...

[LincolnLover-migration]

" I would imagine that ... the 1926-S, although having a lower mintage, might have been pulled from circulation with remaining meat at a much greater frequency than the 1914-D."

 

It's fun to think of Buffalo Nickles in terms of meat left on them...

[Jim Beam]

I am no way qualified to give any certain advice but I do have an opinion (right or wrong - who knows). One contributing factor may be the first year 1913 Buffalos were put away/saved when the came out and may not have seen a great deal of circulation. Then the 1914's are issued and see heavy circulation due to a shortage of nickels being available from 1913. Sorry I can not guide you to a good reference on the subject.

[MarkFeld]

Keeping in mind that many lower grade/value coins are not submitted for grading, here are the NGC populations for the two dates in question in both G and VG condition:

 

1914-D G:10; VG:15

1926-S G: 23; VG: 81

 

So, at least in terms of NGC populations, despite the much greater mintage for the 1914-D, far fewer have been graded than the 1926-S in G-VG. And in all grades combined, the 1914-D NGC population (849) is lower than that of the 1926-S (1307).

[LincolnLover-migration]

Thanks for the stats Mark. They help to shed a bit of light on the lower grades (which was where I was having trouble)

 

Brad