new 1913 3 & 1/2 legged buffalo nickel variety

[1913buffalo-migration]

Attached are images for a new 1913 3 & 1/2 legged buffalo nickel variety. Now there are

two different dies that produced 3 1/2 legged coins

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[RWB]

Yep. Saw this abraded variety ATS -- interesting, but very minor except for the specialists. If the entire leg were missing, that would be interesting. The "two feather" varieties seem to be more visually compelling.

 

Buffnixx - why are you using yet another "alt" here? It doesn't matter and no one is fooled.

[ThosArch-migration]

(to RWB)

I was not able to log in with my previous id. After numerous failed attempts I

then created a new ID. No attempt to hide my identity! Just frustrated in not being able to long in under old id.

[coinquest1961-migration]

As I stated ATS-I closely examined this coin. I thought it was a filled die instead of an abraded die. I have a very dramatic 1916 THREE legged that's a filled die, a picture of which I'll try to post here.

[ThosArch-migration]

This coin was originally in an NGC holder and of course unattributed. NGC decided years ago that they would not attribute any abraded die varieties because the dies had just been "damaged". They thought the additional value added to the coin by this damage was little if any. The only abraded die they still slab is the 1937-d three legged bison, which was sort of "grand-fathered in" because it was so popular with buffalo nickel collectors. As with any coin the beauty, significance, and value is strictly in the eye of the beholder.

[ThosArch-migration]

Could someone please tell me what ATS means?

[jpcienkus]

Could someone please tell me what ATS means?

 

ATS = Across The Street

 

A reference to the PCGS message boards called Collector's Universe

[ThosArch-migration]

ATS = pcgs! Thanks much for the info.

tom

[ThosArch-migration]

Can't wait to see the photo of coinquest1961's 1916 three legged buffalo posted here!

[coinquest1961-migration]

I just produced some high quality images and will be posting them soon.

[coinquest1961-migration]

Obv macro-

 

 

Rev macro-

 

 

CU of missing leg-

 

 

 

[ThosArch-migration]

Here is certainly one to look for. Congrats Ron!

[coinquest1961-migration]

Thanks to one and all who helped! Tom finally got the little light to "turn on" via the telephone ten minutes ago. I'll try my best not to forget again-I think I'll get plenty of practice as I have more pics to post!

[RWB]

Looks like the real thing, unlike the 1913 photos.

[ThosArch-migration]

to RWB: "bye see ya ATS?"

[WoodenJefferson]

On the 1913...the leg is still there! Black Diamond stood in one place too long and the grass grew up around it.

 

I did not realize this was your first post.

[ThosArch-migration]

To WoodenJefferson

On the 3 and one half legged buffaloes only part of the leg is missing, thus the

moniker "3 and one half legger". Other dates have this variety such as 1916-d,

1917-d, 1926-d, 1927-d and 1936-d. The 1936-d is probably the most well known as it has been known for well over 30 years. The others were found later.

And of course there is the 1937-d three legged and now Ron's 1916 3 legged

filed die buff.

[WoodenJefferson]

Call me 'old school' but I'm in the camp where an over zealous Mint worker refurbished a used working die, creating the 3 1/2 legs, rather than a eroded die that was abraded and deteriorated so badly, it eventually obscured the bison's right foreleg and was eventually removed from service.

 

Perhaps this is a nice example of why this particular area of design needed restoration to bring it back into serve?

 

Call me crazy...

[RWB]

Early buffalo nickel dies wore out quickly according to engraver Barber. Eventually, the excessive demand for dies caused mint HQ to decide to let dies run longer although it was known the quality would deteriorate.

 

Barber said that the rough surfaces of the die produced micro chips that ground down the die surfaces. It was like adding emery to the die faces.

[RWB]

PS: It was not stated explicitly by Barber, but his descriptions make me think that normal die maintenance did not work on the early Buffaloes because the texture would be removed -- and that was a key part of the design. By 1915 or 1916 everyone had moved on and the fields were smoothed with the new design master dies of 1916.

[physics-fan3.14]

PS: It was not stated explicitly by Barber, but his descriptions make me think that normal die maintenance did not work on the early Buffaloes because the texture would be removed -- and that was a key part of the design. By 1915 or 1916 everyone had moved on and the fields were smoothed with the new design master dies of 1916.

 

But still no prooflikes

[RWB]

Nope...now shiny coins for the crows.

[coinquest1961-migration]

Call me 'old school' but I'm in the camp where an over zealous Mint worker refurbished a used working die, creating the 3 1/2 legs, rather than a eroded die that was abraded and deteriorated so badly, it eventually obscured the bison's right foreleg and was eventually removed from service.

 

Perhaps this is a nice example of why this particular area of design needed restoration to bring it back into serve?

 

Call me crazy...

 

You are correct as to the cause of the 3 and 3 1/2 legged varieties-it was caused by die polishing to remove clash marks. Other details of the reverse may also be weak in addition to the leg. My 1916 is different-it was caused by a filled die.