Is an Indian Head nickel worth anything when it don't have a date and most words gone 1 1

[Jessamess]

I found this nickel in rough shape with no date. Does that take the worth totally away from it?

[l.cutler]

I believe there are places that pay slightly more than face value for dateless nickels to make jewelry out of them, but numismatically, no value over face.

[Greenstang]

Not worth much over face without a date.

[Coinbuf]

Fun to find but not worth much if anything over face.

[Henri Charriere]

Ah, what the heck... get one of those date-restoration chemical concoctions and find out for sure if this relic was a "might-have-been."

[Crawtomatic]

As a Buffalo Nickel collector, I'd argue that there are a few instances where the absence of a date doesn't negatively affect the value.

Type 1 nickels from 1913.  Date is not necessary if you have an S or D mint mark on the reverse.  It's a 1 year issue so the date isn't necessary to ID it.

2 Feather varieties can often survive without the date.  The date will wear away faster than the details of the feathers.  However, with a date missing, it's not likely a huge impact on value.

3 Legs Variety.  Date not necessary if you have enough to identify it.

1916 DDO.  This one would require the use of Ferric Chloride, baking soda+vinegar, or whatever other chemical would etch the copper layer to reveal the date.  This variety is quite rare and even in an acid treated state commands a premium.  

[powermad5000]

On 6/25/2024 at 2:34 PM, Crawtomatic said:

As a Buffalo Nickel collector, I'd argue that there are a few instances where the absence of a date doesn't negatively affect the value.

Type 1 nickels from 1913.  Date is not necessary if you have an S or D mint mark on the reverse.  It's a 1 year issue so the date isn't necessary to ID it.

2 Feather varieties can often survive without the date.  The date will wear away faster than the details of the feathers.  However, with a date missing, it's not likely a huge impact on value.

3 Legs Variety.  Date not necessary if you have enough to identify it.

1916 DDO.  This one would require the use of Ferric Chloride, baking soda+vinegar, or whatever other chemical would etch the copper layer to reveal the date.  This variety is quite rare and even in an acid treated state commands a premium.

This is fantastic and I was going to chime in that dateless Buffalo Nickels need to be looked at for certain things even in the absence of a date. Excellent response given!

[CherryO]

Could someone point me in a direction for information about Buffalo nickels. I bought a random Lot at auction for the junk silver and boats these were in it. Any help is appreciated 🙏🏻

[Sandon]

@CherryO--Please post questions about your own coins as new topics, not as a reply to someone else's topic. Please specify what sort of "information" you are seeking, such as the years these coins were minted, their grading, valuation, how to collect them, etc.