1917 Buffalo Nickel Acquisition Guide: How to Secure Value on Interesting Varieties

The Allure of the Anomalous Buffalo

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovering a Buffalo nickel that makes fellow collectors lean in closer. This 1917 Philadelphia specimen – with its perplexing leg anomaly – isn’t just another coin. It’s a numismatic detective story waiting to grace your collection. That mysterious front hoof area, whether revealing a struck-through error, die deterioration, or intriguing damage, transforms an ordinary date into a captivating rarity puzzle. And trust me, coins like this spark far more interesting conversations than yet another common-date Buffalo in middling condition.

Where to Hunt for Legendary Buffalo Nickels

Finding these numismatic treasures requires casting a wide net while playing to each marketplace’s strengths. Here’s where seasoned buffalo hunters prowl:

1. Specialized Coin Auctions

When you absolutely need verified authenticity and museum-quality imaging, houses like Heritage or Stack’s Bowers deliver. Their high-resolution photos let you scrutinize every detail of potential anomalies – crucial when evaluating whether that leg distortion hints at mint-made history or later damage. Be ready for spirited bidding, but sleep soundly knowing experts have vetted your prize.

2. Established Coin Dealers

Nothing beats walking into a shop where the owner’s eyes light up when you mention “unusual Buffalos.” These trusted dealers often tuck potential gems in their “problem coin” bins. Cultivate these relationships – as forum member Jim discovered, specialists like Ron Pope (the undisputed Buffalo nickel whisperer) can reveal insights that turn a question mark into an exclamation point of collectibility.

3. Online Marketplaces

eBay and specialty forums offer a virtual goldmine of raw coins, but bring your magnifier and skepticism. That tantalizing 1917 Buffalo with leg peculiarities? It likely surfaced here first. Pro tip: Always demand angled lighting shots – the way shadows dance across the surface reveals more about strike characteristics than any straight-on image.

4. Coin Shows

For hands-on anomaly hunting, nothing beats the coin show hustle. At events like FUN or ANA, you’ll compare dozens of 1917 Buffalos under your loupe. Seeing multiple examples side-by-side helps answer the critical question: Is this leg anomaly consistent with die polishing marks (a mint worker’s fingerprint) or unfortunate post-mint trauma?

Red Flags: Separating Treasure From Trouble

Forum discussions about this coin reveal four crucial authentication lessons every collector must heed:

• The Tale of the Tape: As “Pete” wisely noted, wear patterns must tell a consistent story. A buffalo boasting sharp horn detail but isolated leg damage? That’s like finding fresh snow atop a weathered mountain – possible, but highly suspect
• Metal Memory: Study how the anomaly interacts with the planchet. Does it flow with the strike (suggesting a mint-born error) or cut against the grain like damage? Proper attribution hangs on this distinction
• Photo Forensics: When the original poster questioned whether pixelation created the illusion, they highlighted a modern collector’s dilemma. Always demand multiple high-res images under different light angles – the coin’s true character reveals itself in chiaroscuro
• Rarity Reality Check: With over 53 million struck, 1917 Philadelphia Buffalos aren’t rare. Any premium requires ironclad evidence of legitimate errors or exceptional eye appeal in mint condition

“That abraded look tells an honest story,” observed forum veteran Pete – a reminder that patina and provenance matter as much as pure grade

Negotiating Nuggets: Preserving Your Numismatic Value

Master these collector-to-collector strategies when pursuing peculiar Buffalos:

1. Embrace the Mystery

The heated forum debate about this coin’s origins is your bargaining ally. Is it a die-polishing artifact or damage? Until slabbed by NGC/PCGS with definitive attribution, that uncertainty creates negotiating room. As one old dealer told me: “Uncertainty discounts are the collector’s best friend.”

2. The Grading Gambit

For circulated coins like this potential Fine-grade candidate, standard damage might slash value 30-60%. But if you can credibly argue the anomaly is mint-related? Suddenly it’s a “conversation piece” worthy of only 10-20% reduction – especially if it enhances the coin’s character and collectibility.

3. The Certification Calculus

When buying raw, factor grading costs into your offer. I typically start 15-20% below asking for intriguing anomalies, politely noting the authentication investment required. For slabbed coins, scrutinize labels like a prosecutor – phrases like “Environmental Damage” confirm flaws, while “Die Variety” could mean you’ve struck Buffalo gold.

Raw vs. Slabbed: The Eternal Collector’s Dilemma

Your choice here shapes both risk and reward:

Raw Coin Romance

• Feel the history in your palm – no plastic barrier
• 20-40% price advantage for patient collectors
• First crack at discovering rare varieties graders might miss

Slabbed Coin Security

• Third-party authentication (essential for contested anomalies)
• Preserved luster and surfaces for generations
• Detailed condition analysis that settles grade debates

For this 1917 enigma, consider raw purchase only with a significant price cushion – enough to cover grading and the risk of disappointment. If the seller claims it’s a legitimate error variety, negotiate shared slabbing costs. After all, proof should be a partnership.

Buffalo Nickel Basics: Know Your Prey

• Lifespan: 1913-1938 (1917 sits comfortably in mid-series)
• Mint Marks: Philadelphia (none), Denver (D), San Francisco (S) – our subject bears no mintmark
• Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel – that perfect balance for developing rich patina
• Weight: 5 grams of American numismatic history
• Designer: James Earle Fraser’s masterpiece

Context transforms anomalies. Consider that 1917 Philadelphia dies had already struck millions of coins – making die deterioration theories plausible. Sometimes, what looks like damage is actually the mint’s weary machinery whispering its story.

Conclusion: The Collector’s Quest

This 1917 Philadelphia Buffalo nickel embodies why we collect: not just for metal value, but for the human stories etched in silver-and-copper. While not a major rarity, its leg anomaly represents everything fascinating about our hobby – mystery, debate, and the thrill of discovery.

By mastering:

• Trusted acquisition channels
• Magnification verification techniques
• Anomaly-aware negotiation
• Strategic encapsulation decisions

…you transform potential pitfalls into collecting triumphs. As forum member Jim perfectly captured, coins like this keep our passion alive through shared curiosity. Whether the leg peculiarity proves to be a mint worker’s exhausted die, a planchet’s birthmark, or a century-old mishap, your educated approach ensures this Buffalo will stand proudly in your cabinet – not as a mere commodity, but as a chapter in numismatic history that you helped preserve.

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