Wheats and Buffalo

[DetectorBase]

Hit a local private yard today.. found a few wheats a dated buffalo. Nice to finally get a buffalo with a date, the two prior this year both were wiped clean. I'm still in the silver drought, but I'm glad I was able to find some good coins today.

DB

[timbuckII]

I wonder why so many of the Buffalo Nic's have the date worn off? Is it because the metal is so soft? But if it has been in the ground for 60 years how did it get so worn?

Good Finds!

HH
TC

[DetectorBase]

Good question. I think it's the design on the coin. The date is high relief, and is not protected by the coin rim. You'll notice a few designs that lend to heavy wearing on the date. Standing Liberty Quarters is an example of this. If you look at that design, it's date is high relief and next to the edge without a rim edge.

Other coins can have incredible wear, but due to the design the dates are still visible. A great example are the V-Nickels. I can find a V-Nickel with lady liberty on the front completely worn down.. you can just see the outline of the head, yet the date is still there.

I think the Buffs lost the date before being dropped. I have a small collection of circulated buffalos from when I was a kid.. and lots are missing dates, etc.

DB