Buffalo.....Our Heritage.....Our Coinage

[cpm9ball]

With the introduction of the new nickel designs for 2005 and some of the proposed states quarters, there has been a lot of discussion about the buffalo. Some people feel there has been a certain amount of overkill in its use on our coinage. A recent conversation that I had with a friend prompted me to "page through" a book that has been in our family for more than 60 years.

 

I recalled a letter from that book that pretty much sums up my sentiments on the issue. Here it is, unedited!

 

Nove 26

1925

 

Ralf Budd

Dear Mr. Budd

this is Thanksgiving day an Im thanking you for the good time you gave us

last summer

turkey is the emblem of this day and it should be in the east but the west owes

nothing to that bird but it owes much to the humped backed beef in the sketch above

Note: The writer is referring to a sketch of a buffalo at the top of the letter.

the Rocky mountains would have been hard to reach without him

he fed the explorer the great fur trade wagon tranes felt safe when they reached

his range

he fed the men that layed the first ties across this great west Thair is no day

set aside where he is an emblem

the nickle weares his picture dam small money for so much meat he was one

of natures bigest gift and this country owes him thanks

the picture you sent a photo of that I painted was made a long time ago It

was made to reprsent Fater DeSmit on the Missouri River

hoping you and yours are all well I am

your friend

C. M. Russell

 

Mrs. R______sends best regards

 

This letter is an excerpt from the book, Good Medicine , written by Charles M. Russell.

 

I hope that some of you, particularly EZ and Hoot, will appreciate this.

 

And to the naysayers I say.....................Oh well, I can't say it here!

 

Chris

[HaydenTubbs]

Ever had a buffalo burger?

I heard they're good.

 

BTW Is it just me or does anyone else think that Chris should be banned from Tangents,due to all of his posts that have nothing to do with numismatics other than the occasional mention to a board member's bad day or "speaking of which".

 

Keep 'em coming Chris!

-Hayden

[cpm9ball]

Ever had a buffalo burger?

I heard they're good.

 

BTW Is it just me or does anyone else think that Chris should be banned from Tangents,due to all of his posts that have nothing to do with numismatics other than the occasional mention to a board member's bad day or "speaking of which".

 

Keep 'em coming Chris!

-Hayden

 

Yeah, Hayden, they are good, if you don't eat the ones that come off the ground.

 

 

'....does anyone else think that Chris should be banned......

 

And the survey says!

 

Geez, what would I do with the rest of my retirement years if I couldn't come here? We don't have any 24/7 poolrooms in our area.

 

Well, I guess I'll just go over to U.S. Coins and post something there.

 

Chris

[Oldtrader3]

Have had both buffalo and beefalo in various Wyoming restaurants. Both were were good. I agree with Chas. Russell. The railroad wouldn't have been built or the rockies settled without buffalo. Plus, I'm sure that the Indians have a different view of it.

[Hoot]

Having lived around buffalo for 17 years and having eaten them a fair bit, I can attest that they are amazing animals. They are truly magnificent and although their stature is not as great as the great plains buffalo, they are mightily impressive. They provided much more than meat to a growing nation. I have done some reading on the grassland (tallgrass and shortgrass prairie) ecology of the critters, and they are what made the great plains the fertile land they once were. Herds of upwards of a million animals that would get up and leave an area all at once - great rototillers and grass recyclers.

 

Not enough tribute has been paid to these creatures that we so incredibly abused. Their herds are but a vetige of what they once were in numbers or ecology, so in the narrow minds of people who have no sense of history, they may think that we are giving them too much billing. Just like those who have lost track of the meaning of allegorical figures of Liberty and the like on coins, the meaning of the buffalo is likely lost permanently on them.

 

Thanks for the CM Russell quote, Chris. A fine museum in his tribute is 3 hours from here in Great Falls, Montana. A great westerner.

 

Hoot

[spy88]

I received my 20 boxes of the P and D mint marked Bison Jeffersons Friday. Opened one roll and spilled thm on the table and just sat there admiring the look of both obverse and reverse. It was like I was looking at a bunch of dark side stuff and felt they are very attractive! As for the buffalo being used too much on our coinage, I would disagree and for the all the reasons mentioned as to its prominence in our history. I think they did more for the expansion of the west then Lewis and Clark. I'd rather see animals on our coinage, even the same one, before more presidents!

[cpm9ball]

I received my 20 boxes of the P and D mint marked Bison Jeffersons Friday. Opened one roll and spilled thm on the table and just sat there admiring the look of both obverse and reverse.

 

Spy, if I had those 20 boxes, I would crack every roll!

 

From all of the reports I've seen, coins graded MS65-67 will probably be harder to find and drive the prices higher. If you examine them closely, you will see just how poor the condition is for both P & D mintmarks. I've been accustomed to finding considerable examples of these grades in bags and rolls (halves, quarters and nickels), but they seem to be non-existent for the new buffalo nickel. If I were an optimist, I would like to believe that the Mint has improved their handling procedures since I received mine in late February. Unfortunately, for you, I just don't see that happening.

 

Secondly, there is the matter of the die gouge that looks like a spear through the buffalo. (Coin World, April 11, p.100) It extends from the "E" in STATES into the buffalo and through its underbelly. ANACS has already attributed examples of it. Ordinarily, this shouldn't carry any substantial premium, but look what happened to the Wisconsin quarter.

 

Just my opinion!

 

Chris

[CarlWohlforth]

I like the coins and the animals. It is very hard to imagine herds of 1 million of them, at least it was until I witnessed the huge vastness of the American Prarie. Of course they were hunted until almost extinct. And there are now roads and fences and cities and so forth so that past can never be recovered. Anyway I just bought a roll of Jeffalos and just love the coin!

[spy88]

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I received my 20 boxes of the P and D mint marked Bison Jeffersons Friday. Opened one roll and spilled thm on the table and just sat there admiring the look of both obverse and reverse.

 

Chris, I was speaking from a purely artistic standpoint. And even if I wasn't, I wouldn't open up all 20 sealed mint boxed sets as I think they'll be worth more down the road this way. As for the strike quality, they are no better or worse then the Keelboat design...plenty of hits, nicks, etc. But I do like the design!

[cpm9ball]

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I received my 20 boxes of the P and D mint marked Bison Jeffersons Friday. Opened one roll and spilled thm on the table and just sat there admiring the look of both obverse and reverse.

 

Chris, I was speaking from a purely artistic standpoint. And even if I wasn't, I wouldn't open up all 20 sealed mint boxed sets as I think they'll be worth more down the road this way. As for the strike quality, they are no better or worse then the Keelboat design...plenty of hits, nicks, etc. But I do like the design!

 

 

Agreed!

 

Chris