The 1931-S Buffalo Nickel Survival Guide: Spotting Fakes in a Flooded Market

Spotting Fakes: Why Your 1931-S Buffalo Nickel Expertise Matters Now

In the trenches of American numismatics, few battles demand sharper eyes than authenticating the 1931-S Buffalo nickel. With a mintage of just 1.2 million at the San Francisco Mint and fewer than 400 confirmed survivors in mint condition, this key date’s numismatic value makes it a prime target for forgers. Whether you’re handling a flea market find or vetting an auction lot, knowing these diagnostics could mean the difference between securing a treasure and funding a fraudster’s next operation.

A Rarity Born of Depression-Era Scarcity

The 1931-S holds a paradoxical place in the series – its second-lowest mintage (after the mythical 1926-S) yet surprising availability in high grades. As veteran collectors often muse, “This nickel commands prices that far surpass coins with ten times its mintage.” Why? Because while most Depression-era coins circulated into oblivion, savvy hoarders preserved rolls of uncirculated ’31-S specimens. Still, don’t be fooled by its relative accessibility: PCGS population reports reveal just 350+ examples graded MS60 or better, with true gems like the MS66+ specimens exhibiting breathtaking luster.

The Collector’s Triad: Weight, Magnetism, Composition

When Grams Make Thousands

Place your suspect coin on a precision scale – authentic 1931-S nickels must hit 5.00 grams (±0.10g). Deviations often expose:

• Wrong alloys (true composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel)
• Casting bubbles in counterfeit planchets
• Solder residue from altered-date scams

The Magnet Tell

Watch how a rare-earth magnet behaves when dangled near your nickel. Genuine Buffalos display subtle magnetic pull – just enough to feel resistance without clinging. Strong attraction screams steel core; zero movement suggests a base metal fake. This simple test eliminates 60% of counterfeits instantly.

Die Diagnostics: Reading Fraser’s Fingerprints

James Earle Fraser’s iconic design hides authentication goldmines that even skilled forgers overlook. Grab your loupe and watch for:

Obverse Secrets

• Date Dance: The ‘1’ nestles closer to the bust than the ‘9’
• Cheekbone Poetry: Three graceful convex curves beneath the eye
• The Lip Mark: Some originals show a distinctive die flaw near the upper lip

Reverse Revelations

• Mint Mark Ballet: The ‘S’ pirouettes at a precise 15-degree tilt between leg and rim
• Horn Hieroglyphs: Four crisp ridges line the inner horn curve
• Ground Truth: An unbroken line runs hoof-to-tail – fakes often show gaps

Fakes in the Wild: Today’s Counterfeit Menagerie

Recent collector forums and grading service alerts spotlight three dangerous impostors:

Type 1: Date Doctors

Typically butchered from 1930-D nickels. Catch these criminals by:

• Hunting microscopic scars around the date
• Noting weight discrepancies from wear
• Spotting the ‘D’ mint mark ghost beneath the ‘S’

Type 2: Cast Clones

Identified by their telltale:

• Orange-peel surfaces under 10x magnification
• Mushy feather details that lack sharpness
• Wrong reed count (136 vs. authentic 137)

Type 3: Electrotype Echoes

Advanced fakes needing artillery-grade detection:

• Flat ‘thud’ during ring testing
• Inconsistent metal density via ultrasonic waves
• Composition mismatches on XRF scanners

The Pro’s Playbook: Authentication Protocol

When a potential ’31-S crosses your desk, follow this battlefield-tested sequence:

1. Weight Warfare: Break out your 0.01g-sensitive scale
2. Magnetic Recon: Dangle that rare-earth magnet
3. Die Study Duel: Loupe-to-loupe comparison with verified specimens
4. Surface Archaeology: Map luster patterns and original mint bloom
5. Edge Espionage: Seek telltale seams or reeding errors

Grading’s Gravity: How Proof = Profit

As heated forum debates prove, authentication directly fuels collectibility and value:

• VG Details: $500-800 (questionable eye appeal)
• MS63: $5,000-7,000 (strong strike, soft patina)
• MS65+: $20,000-35,000 (electric luster, pristine surfaces)
• Cameo MS66: $50,000+ (PCGS #13672433 hammered at $37,200 – before last year’s surge)

Final Charge: Why This Nickel Demands Respect

The 1931-S Buffalo nickel isn’t just metal – it’s Depression-era history stamped in copper-nickel poetry. From its hauntingly beautiful patina to the thrilling hunt for undiscovered mint-state examples, this coin rewards diligent collectors like few others. As the old-timers say while examining a fresh find: “Great Buffalo!” – but only if it passes the tests. Arm yourself with these diagnostics, trust but verify every provenance story, and remember: in numismatics, the best treasures are those you’ve authenticated yourself.

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