5 Costly Buffalo Nickel Mistakes Every Collector Makes (And How to Avoid Them)

5 Buffalo Nickel Blunders I See Collectors Make (Again and Again)

After 20 years of helping collectors build Buffalo Nickel sets, I’ve held thousands of these coins – and watched the same five mistakes drain wallets and crush enthusiasm. Whether you’re chasing your first 1913 Type I or that elusive 1926-S, these errors can turn your treasure hunt into a minefield. Let’s walk through the pitfalls I see most often at coin shows and in collections, with real solutions to keep your coins (and savings) safe.

Mistake 1: Overlooking Weak Strikes (The Silent Value Killer)

That gorgeous buffalo design came with a curse: weak strikes plague this series. I can’t count how many collectors have shown me “rare dates” that were actually common coins murdered by poor striking.

Spot These Red Flags:

• The buffalo’s horn blends into the mound like melted cheese
• Feather details look like they’ve been through a car wash
• “FIVE CENTS” appears readable but fuzzy around the edges

How to Dodge This Trap:

Train your eyes to check three make-or-break areas:

1. Horn/mound separation – should look crisp
2. Feather tips – sharp as a new pencil
3. Lettering – no “ghost letters” in the denomination

Compare that 1913 Type 1 in your album to a 1920s issue – you’ll see why strike quality separates showpieces from space-wasters.

If You Already Bought One:

• Label it as an educational piece, not a key date
• Keep it as a grading comparison tool
• Consider conservation (not cleaning!) if surfaces are rough

Mistake 2: Treating Grading Labels Like Gospel

Last month, a collector showed me a PCGS MS65 that was clearly AU58 – and he’d paid strong money for it. Those plastic slabs? They’re guides, not guarantees.

Signs Your “Graded” Coin Might Be Overrated:

• The numbers feel like wishful thinking when you squint
• The holder looks older than your grandpa’s first car
• The coin’s changed hands more times than a hot potato

Build Your Bullsh*t Detector:

1. Spend 10 minutes daily with PCGS Photograde (it’s free!)
2. Attend a grading workshop – most big shows offer these
3. Remember: that ugly CAC-approved coin in forums proves eye appeal beats numbers

If You Got Burned:

• Resubmit during grading specials ($15 fees hurt less)
• Disclose everything when selling – your reputation matters
• Turn that mistake into your personal grading tutor

Mistake 3: Storage Slip-Ups That Destroy Value

Those rainbow-toned Buffalo Nickels in forums? Some are natural beauties. Others scream “chemical damage!” I’ve seen attic-found collections where coins looked like Salvador Dali painted them – and not in a good way.

Danger Signs Your Coins Are Deteriorating:

• Toning in straight lines (PVC damage from old flips)
• Dull penny-brown surfaces (sulfur from cheap albums)
• Speckled green spots (moisture attacking the metal)

Storage Essentials That Won’t Fail You:

– SaFlip holders for raw coins (cheap insurance)
– Air-tight container with silica packets
– Never, ever in basements or garages
– Cotton gloves – skin oils leave permanent marks

Rescue Plan for Damaged Coins:

1. Quarantine affected coins immediately
2. Professional conservation ONLY – no home experiments
3. For PVC gunk: pure acetone bath by experts

Mistake 4: Choosing Rarity Over Beauty

I once watched a collector pay $8,000 for a 1921-S that looked like it went through a garbage disposal – when a stunning common date would’ve brought more joy. Don’t be that person.

Are You Overpaying for an Ugly Duckling?

• The seller keeps yelling “RARE DATE!” like a carnival barker
• You find yourself saying “The scratch isn’t THAT bad…”
• The coin makes you sigh instead of smile

The Eye Appeal Checklist:

• Would CAC give it the green bean of approval?
• Does your gut say “Wow!” before your brain calculates value?
• Are you buying for bragging rights or personal pride?

When You’re Stuck With a Dog:

• Trade with registry collectors (they want dates, not looks)
• Hold until the series gets hot, then sell raw
• Keep it as a placeholder while hunting upgrades

Mistake 5: Auction Fever (The Collector’s Gambling Problem)

Online auctions turn sane people into lunatics. I’ve talked collectors off ledges after they bid $2,000 on a $500 coin… at 2 AM… while drinking.

You Might Have a Problem If:

• Your palms sweat when someone outbids you
• You’ve ever said “I’ll just eat ramen this month”
• Your spouse thinks your “new coin” is six months old

Bidding Rules That Save Marriages:

1. Write your max bid on paper before logging in
2. Never bid past 9 PM or when emotional
3. Ask: “Would I pay this at a coin show?”
4. Use proxy bidding – no last-second heroics

If You Overspent:

1. Consign through reputable dealers immediately
2. Join collector forums for accountability
3. Take a 30-day break from all auction sites

Your Path to Smarter Collecting

Buffalo Nickels test every collector’s wisdom – that’s why I love them. By sidestepping these five common traps (weak strikes, blind grading trust, storage fails, beauty blindness, and auction madness), you’ll build a collection that shines. Remember my friend who bought that overgraded MS65? He now owns a Registry Set award-winner – proof that learning from mistakes pays off. Now grab your loupe, check those horn details, and happy hunting!

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