1
45
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Two - Sunday, June 1, 2014 Approx 12:00 PM
G
EM
U
NC
1918-D B
UFFALO
N
ICKEL
242
1918-D
.
PCGS graded MS-66 PQ
. A nice fully struck
example. The original mintage for this date was 8.3 million
pieces, and in the years since coinage, the 1918-D has
been found to be a scarcer year when well struck, although
definitely not one of the rarest issues in this series. It is,
however, scarce in all grades at or above VF, and the 1918-
D is particularly rare at the finer Mint State levels when
found with a sharply executed strike like the present jaw-
dropping MS66 example in this Lot. With snappy-looking
definition in all areas, this important coin has bright nickel-
gray to silvery metal flow that enhances the glittering mint
bloom on the surfaces, giving the coin a shimmering,
almost a magical glow to its appearance. The original mint
brilliance is only interrupted by an occasional speck of pale
golden color. Concerning the strike, there are no areas of
vexing incompleteness of detail on either side. A fully lus-
trous, originally preserved example for the collector who
esteems high-grade Buffalo Nickels.
Pop 22; 3 finer, 2 in
66+, 1 in 67
. (
PCGS # 3938
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $6,000 - 6,500
243
1918-D, 8 over 7
.
PCGS graded VF-20 PQ.
CAC
Approved
. Very popular variety. Missing from most collections.
Lightly toned and choice. The 1918/7-D overdate without doubt
matches the famous 1916/1916 and 1937-D 3-leg nickels for
the title of most popular and highly sought variety in the series.
Though discovered as long ago as 1931, it remains scarce to
this day.
The obverse die for this variety was made during the latter part
of 1917 at the Philadelphia Mint. It is during the final quarter of
each year that the Mint’s engraving department begins to make
dies for the next year’s production. As described in David W.
Lange’s book on the Buffalo Nickel series, “a nationwide short-
age of minor coins (cents and nickels) developed during 1917-
18 and led to an unprecedented output of these. It is therefore
easy to understand that dies for both 1917 and 1918 would
have been in preparation during the latter months of 1917 to
meet both current and anticipated needs.
“In sinking a working die, two or more impressions had to be
taken from a working hub. Between each impression, the devel-
oping die was taken to the furnace to be annealed, or softened,
since the first impression caused the metal to become work-
hardened. It was then ready for another impression. Amid the
haste to produce new dies, a working die that had already been
impressed with a hub dated 1917 was then either inadvertently
or intentionally given another impression from a hub dated
1918. The result was an overdate.”. (
PCGS # 3939
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$3,800 - 4,000
G
EM
1919-D B
UFFALO
N
ICKEL
Enlargement
244
1919-D
.
PCGS graded MS-66 PQ
. Wonderful rainbow
toning on both sides. The close of World War I saw a dras-
tic need for Nickel production at both the Denver and San
Francisco Mints in 1919. When it came to the former facil-
ity, the total number of Denver Mint coins delivered that
year amounted to a little over 8 million pieces. This limited
mintage figure, when coupled with extensive circulation,
explains why the 1919-D is rare in all but the lowest
grades. Comparatively more important, however, is the fact
the '19-D is also one of the most challenging Buffalo Nickels
to locate with any degree of striking detail. Miserable
strikes abound. Sharp ones are almost unheard of. Our
offering of this wonderful Gem Mint State 66 specimen --
and Premium Quality no less! -- represents an opportunity
of profound importance, something for collectors who spe-
cialize in this series.
The strike is almost certainly the fullest that one can realis-
tically encounter on a 1919-D Nickel. All design elements
are nicely delineated, and there are no areas of bothersome
incompleteness of detail on either side. The surfaces are
fully lustrous and satiny beneath a delicate overlay of
golden iridescence. There are no distracting abrasions to
report, and wonderful color A beautiful coin in all regards,
and one that is seemingly destined for inclusion in another
Buffalo Nickel Registry Set.
Pop 18; none finer at PCGS.
Tied for the finest at PCGS
. (
PCGS # 3942
)
Estimated Value ...................................... $9,000 - 10,000
245
1920
.
PCGS graded MS-63
. Some flyspecks, but easily
ignored when viewing the smooth, consistently choice and
glowing luster. (
PCGS # 3944
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $100 - 110
