Buffalo Nickel Treasure Hunt: Spotting Errors and Proofs in 1913 Type 1 & Type 2 Varieties

When you hold a 1913 Buffalo Nickel, you’re not just handling pocket change – you’re gripping a piece of American artistry that could harbor hidden fortunes. As someone who’s spent thirty years scrutinizing every strike, crack, and patina on these coins, I can tell you the difference between a common piece and a numismatic treasure often lies in microscopic details. When a fellow collector recently pulled two 1913 nickels from his vault – “Could these be proofs?” he whispered – we embarked on a detective story worthy of these iconic coins.

The Allure of 1913 Buffalo Nickels

James Earle Fraser’s masterwork marks a turning point in U.S. coinage – these aren’t mere currency, they’re miniature monuments. The 1913 issues feature two distinct types that make collectors’ hearts race: Type 1 showcases the bison standing proudly on a mound with exposed lettering, while Type 2 (modified after the design proved too fragile) sets the beast on flat ground with protected lettering. What gives these coins their extraordinary collectibility? Scarcity meets artistry, with Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mintages each telling their own story.

Proof or Not? The Critical Distinctions

Our heated forum debate centered on separating ordinary strikes from the legendary 1913 proofs – coins that can command six-figure prices. True matte proofs reveal these unmistakable traits:

• Knife-edge rims that could practically draw blood
• Mirrored fields with that distinctive gritty texture
• Muscular lettering showing zero signs of die fatigue
• Bison hair details so sharp they’ll catch your fingernail

One seasoned collector nailed it when he advised:

“Proofs don’t whisper – they shout. That rim sharpness is the first chorus of their song.”

When we compared our candidate coins to Steve’s certified proof, the differences in eye appeal and surface luster told the truth.

Error Hunter’s Toolkit: Key Markers to Examine

Die Cracks & Cuds

These fascinating errors occur when aging dies surrender to the press. On Buffalo Nickels, I’ve documented “hot zones” where cracks most often appear:

• Like lightning bolts from the bison’s tail to rim
• Following the warrior’s jawline like tribal paint
• Dancing between the letters of FIVE CENTS

When cracks evolve into full cuds – those dramatic metal blobs at the rim – you’ve got a rare variety worth serious attention.

Double Dies

The holy grail for variety collectors! I always train my loupe on:

• LIBERTY: Search for ghostly secondary letters
• Date digits: The ‘3’ often shows telltale doubling
• Motto elements: Look for split serifs in TRUST

Mint Mark Mysteries

Hand-punched mint marks create a playground for errors:

• Repunched Marks (RPM): Denver’s ‘D’ often appears drunkenly doubled
• Positional variants: The elusive low-and-left ‘D’ makes collectors swoon
• Phantom marks: Philadelphia coins accidentally bearing other mint identities

Major Errors Worth Hunting

• Off-center strikes showing 10-20% misalignment
• Brockage errors creating eerie mirrored designs
• Clipped planchets with crescent bite marks
• Strike-through errors where debris left its permanent signature

Condition & Valuation Guide

Circulation Strikes

• Type 1 MS-60: $500-$700 (Philly) to $1,000+ (Western mints)
• Type 2 MS-60: $150-$350 depending on mint mark and eye appeal
• Error premiums: Visible errors can multiply value 3x-5x

Proof Issues

Mint condition proofs exist in a different financial universe:

• Type 1 Proof: Five known specimens – last sale topped $300,000
• Type 2 Proof: PR-63 coins trade for luxury car money ($15k-$35k)

Authentication Protocols

Never trust your naked eye with potential rarities. My four-step ritual:

1. Study rims under 10x magnification – proofs won’t compromise
2. Analyze fields like a detective – mirrored versus worn tells all
3. Systematically scan design elements for doubling or cracks
4. Consult the Cherrypicker’s Guide like scripture
5. When provenance matters, trust third-party graders

Conclusion: Why These Nickels Captivate Collectors

1913 Buffalo Nickels embody everything we love about numismatics – history whispering through metal, artistry meeting accident, the thrill of the hunt. Our forum investigation proved even seasoned eyes can miss a proof hiding in plain sight. That’s the magic: every buffalo nickel in your drawer could be a rarity waiting to reveal its secrets. Whether you’re drawn by historical significance, the adrenaline of error-hunting, or the prospect of uncovering hidden value, these coins remind us that true treasures aren’t found – they’re recognized.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• 1913 Buffalo Nickels: Unraveling the Historical Secrets of Type 1 and Type 2 Varieties – The Hidden Stories Stamped in Nickel and Time As collectors, we know every coin whispers secrets of its era. The 1913 Bu…
• 1913 Buffalo Nickel Market Analysis: Unlocking the True Value of Type 1 vs. Type 2 Specimens – The Appraiser’s Eye: Why Catalog Values Don’t Tell the Whole Story What truly determines a Buffalo Nickel&#8…
• The Artisan’s Dilemma: Crafting Potential of the Controversial 2005-D Nickel – Not Every Coin Finds Redemption in the Jeweler’s Torch After twenty years transforming coins into wearable art, I&…