Buffalo Nickel Bounty: How to Cherry-Pick Hidden Treasures in Circulation & Bulk Lots

Forget dealer markups—true numismatic treasures often lurk in plain sight. As a lifelong roll hunter, I’ve plucked Buffalo Nickels worth thousands from everyday pocket change, bank rolls, and estate sale oddities. These iconic coins remain one of our hobby’s last great frontiers, where sharp eyes and variety knowledge can turn five cents into four figures. Let me share how to spot these sleeping giants before they vanish into another collector’s stash.

Why Buffalo Nickels Captivate Collectors

When James Earle Fraser’s design debuted in 1913, it instantly became America’s numismatic masterpiece—a Native American profile gazing westward alongside a majestic bison. But their beauty came at a cost: most circulated into oblivion during the Roaring Twenties and Depression-era commerce. Today, finding one with original luster feels like unearthing buried treasure. Three crucial details separate common finds from numismatic gold:

• Type 1 vs. Type 2 (1913 only): The initial “raised mound” reverse wore down faster than a prospector’s boots, prompting a mid-year redesign with recessed lettering.
• Mintmark Detectives: Early issues (1913-1917) bear mintmarks beneath “FIVE CENTS”—later relocated below the buffalo’s shoulder where wear erases them first.
• Condition Rarity: Even AU-grade Buffalos often show cheekbone wear and hip erosion. Mint state survivors? They’re rarer than hen’s teeth.

My CACG Submission: When Variety Hunting Pays Off

Last month’s grading adventure proves why Buffalo Nickels still deliver heart-pounding finds. Frustrated by inconsistent attributions, I sent two raw circulation finds to CACG—and the results made my loupe hand tremble:

“CACG nailed what others missed: proper variety designation. Both coins had PCGS pedigrees but found new life through precise attribution.”

1913-S Type 1: The Black Diamond Miracle

This first-year San Francisco minting stopped forum debates cold. Its razor-sharp horn curve and tail definition screamed “Black Diamond” reverse—a variety where strike quality defines numismatic value. Collector opinions spanned the spectrum:

• “MS63 at best—check the field marks”
• “MS65 eye appeal with that golden patina!” (CACG’s final call: a triumphant MS64)

1928-S: Two Feathers, One Revelation

This dark horse sparked a collector’s quarrel over subtle die clashes. Forum skeptics doubted its pedigree:

“I’d call it AU55… and that’s no Two Feather!”
“Sean Reynolds: Did CACG confirm the extra feather? That’s the million-cent question!”

The verdict? CACG spotted the faint secondary feather below the headdress—transforming a $50 coin into a $300+ rarity. Provenance matters, but attribution matters more.

Prime Hunting Grounds for Buffalo Rarities

1. Bank Rolls: The Collector’s Goldmine

I’ve scored more Buffalos from crusty hand-rolled nickels than metal detecting sites. Savvy hunters target:

• Pre-1960 $5 nickel rolls from family-owned banks
• CRW (Customer Rolled) over MWR (Machine-Wrapped)—grandpa’s coffee can rolls beat Brinks any day
• Dateless coins with intact reverses—that “worn smooth” 1930s reverse might hide a 3-Legged variety

2. Estate Sales & Bulk Lots

Never judge a coin by its grime. My best finds came from:

• 1913-1917 coins with even partial horn detail (Full Horn = Full Value)
• 1920s pieces masquerading as common dates—weak strikes often hide 1926-S semi-keys
• Coins with “environmental patina” that might shield original surfaces

3. Dealer Castoffs & Junk Bins

Pros overlook what they can’t immediately grade. I’ve rescued:

• 1920-S specimens with visible mintmarks but “impaired” surfaces
• Darkly toned 1916s that concealed Full Horn details under magnification
• Common-date Buffalos with hidden repunched mintmarks

The Buffalo Whisperer’s Diagnostic Guide

Master these telltale signs to separate keepers from spenders:

Grading Clues

• AU (About Uncirculated): Friction on the cheekbone or bison’s hip—but mint luster still dances in protected areas
• MS63 Candidates: Bag marks tell a story, but original bloom dominates the fields
• MS64+ Gems: Contact marks vanish under 5x magnification—like the day they left the press

Variety Spotlights

• 1913 Type 1: Ground line under FIVE CENTS stands prouder than a Montana butte
• Two Feather (1920s): Ghostly secondary feather beneath the main headdress row
• 1935-D/D: Look for a “shadow D” southwest of the primary mintmark

From Pocket Change to Portfolio Star: Buffalo Nickel Values

Condition and variety certification create exponential jumps in collectibility:

“Grading Buffalos? Better eat your Wheaties first—even experts debate cheekbone wear!” – Sage Forum Wisdom

Why CACG Changed My Hunting Game

My two-coin experiment revealed why third-party grading matters now more than ever:

• Lightning Attribution: Three-week turnaround while competitors wrestle with backlogs
• Variety Vigilance: They spotted the Two Feather detail three previous graders missed
• Grade Integrity: MS64 for the 1913-S validated collector consensus—no “gradeflation” here

Conclusion: Your Buffalo Hunting Starter Kit

With 1.2 billion Buffalos minted but perhaps 1% surviving in collectible condition, the hunt is far from over. My CACG submission—two coins pulled from circulation a decade apart—proves that persistence and knowledge trump pure luck. So arm yourself with a 5x loupe, memorize those mintmark positions, and remember: that “junk bin” Buffalo with strange toning might just be a 1921-S with Full Horns. The West was won by risk-takers, and so is the numismatic frontier. Happy trails!

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

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