1916 Buffalo Nickel Authentication Guide: Exposing Fake ‘Doubled Die’ Varieties and PCGS Slab #50731189

The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Buffalo Nickel Collection

Few things quicken a collector’s pulse like spotting that elusive 1916 Buffalo Nickel doubled die obverse (DDO) – until you realize you’re holding a clever fake. The recent uproar over PCGS-certified coin #50731189 (a misidentified G4 specimen) proves even slabbed coins demand our sharpest scrutiny. Let’s examine how to protect your collection from modern forgers armed with frighteningly sophisticated tools.

Why the 1916 DDO Commands Such Devotion

When a misaligned die hub kissed the working die multiple times, it created one of the most dramatic errors in U.S. coinage – a doubled design visible without magnification. The 1916 DDO’s combination of bold strike and razor-sharp doubling gives it extraordinary eye appeal, explaining why collectors will pay over $15,000 for even well-circulated examples. This perfect storm of rarity and visual impact makes it the Holy Grail for both serious numismatists and unscrupulous counterfeiters.

The Three Telltale Signs of Authenticity

Doubling Features You Can Bank On

After handling several genuine specimens, I’ve learned true 1916 DDOs always reveal three unmistakable markers:

• Ribbon Ties: Look for that “ghost image” floating just northeast of the primary ribbon – it should have the same bold definition as the rest of the design
• Large Feather Base: Authentic doubling creates a shadow effect along the feather’s curve that follows the coin’s natural flow lines
• Date Doubling: The top serif of the “1” shows shelving so pronounced you can catch it with a thumbnail

When forum members examined PCGS #50731189, their verdict was unanimous: “The ribbon ties look flat as a pancake, the feather base lacks definition, and that date…well, there’s just nothing there.”

Separating True Doubling from Deception

Spotting fakes requires understanding how authentic doubling differs from:

• Acid etching (which leaves unnatural pitting)
• Mechanical abrasion (creating parallel tool marks)
• Electrotype casting (revealed by weight discrepancies)

Genuine DDO doubling has a distinctive “shelved” appearance – like a shadow slightly offset from the main design. Counterfeits? They look about as natural as a three-dollar bill under 10x magnification.

Putting Suspect Coins Through Their Paces

The Weight and Magnet Test

Every Buffalo Nickel collector should keep these tools handy:

• Precision Scale: Authentic specimens weigh 5.00g ±0.10g – anything else signals trouble
• Neodymium Magnet: That satisfying “clink” as it slides off confirms the proper 75% copper, 25% nickel composition

The controversial G4 coin reportedly showed acid cleaning – often used to disguise counterfeit tool marks or alter surface details. Always question overly bright surfaces on coins that should show natural patina.

Magnification Tells All

Under 10-20x magnification, examine these critical areas:

• Metal Flow: Authentic wear follows the strike’s natural contours like topographical lines
• Tool Marks: Counterfeiters often leave telltale parallel scratches from artificial aging
• Edge Reeding: Should display 119-123 perfectly formed ridges without flat spots

GreatCollections’ auction photos revealed pitting that resembled lunar craters – a dead giveaway of chemical alteration rather than honest wear.

When Certification Services Miss the Mark

The PCGS #50731189 incident teaches three hard lessons:

• Database Vigilance: Always cross-check certification numbers against multiple sources
• Photographic Proof: High-res images don’t lie – absence of key doubling markers speaks volumes
• Market Sense: A $1,000 opening bid for a common-date G4 nickel? That’s the numismatic equivalent of a screaming siren

“Thank you for tagging me in this – this isn’t the doubled die. We’re removing and getting fixed.” – Ian Russell, GreatCollections

Know Your Enemy: Common Fake Profiles

The Four Horsemen of Numismatic Fraud

1. Date-Altered Imposters: Look for file marks around digits – especially under the “6”
2. Electrotype Zombies: Cast seams near the rim that break the coin’s natural luster
3. Laser-Faked Doubling: Microscopic pitting in “doubled” areas reveals high-tech tampering
4. Artificially Aged Fakes: Acid baths that leave surfaces looking unnaturally uniform

Your Authentication Survival Kit

When evaluating any potential 1916 DDO:

1. Verify weight to within 0.10g tolerance
2. Confirm non-magnetic properties
3. Study surfaces under magnification (10x minimum)
4. Cross-reference with PCGS CoinFacts images
5. Check certification number against known errors

Understanding True Market Value

Let’s cut through the auction hype:

• Genuine 1916 DDO: $15,000 (VG) to $35,000+ (AU) – reflecting its legendary numismatic value
• Common 1916 Nickel: $4-$25 in G4 – a workhorse date in most collections
• Counterfeit Trap: Misattributed coins often fetch 10-100x their true collectibility

That $1,000 opening bid for PCGS #50731189? A sobering reminder that rarity commands premiums – but only when authenticity is rock-solid.

Final Thoughts: Trust But Verify

The 1916 Buffalo Nickel DDO represents everything we love about error collecting – a perfect storm of striking drama, historical significance, and extreme rarity. But as the PCGS certification mishap demonstrates, even experts occasionally miss the mark. Develop your authentication skills like you’d cultivate patina on a prized coin: patiently, methodically, and with deep respect for the craft. When a deal seems too good to be true, remember the collector’s mantra: magnifier first, wallet second. Your collection deserves nothing less.

Related Resources

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