Coin and Paper Money Collecting/?

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Expert: - 2/18/2009


Question
My mom has buffalo nickle half horn and very worn horn and tail but no date dosent even look like there ever was one

Answer

1938Buffalo
Hello Amy,            

This is an Indian Head nickel also called a Buffalo nickel. Many circulated Indian Nickels have at least 1 digit missing and as yours does some have no date left at all.

I can only say it is worth more than 5 cents to collectors as a type coin but sells for less than dollar with no date visible.
 
In each series of coin type like your "Indian Head type" nickel, there are some quick reference points of wear to be seen on the high points that are known to show wear first. For your Nickel it is the Buffalo’s HORN.
Most of these details are covered in the RED BOOK. If you can borrow a copy it will help. In the grading details it describes at the start of each coin series is taken from the American Numismatic Association Standard. And uses the 1 to 70 scale recognized by all professionals since the 1970's.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Uncirculated (grade-AU50) on the scale.

Here's a quick wear/Grading guideline, NOTE: They must not have problems like dents, bends or having been cleaned.

GOOD or Grade 4:
Letters and date clear no Buffalo Horn on reverse but no wear to the outside rim from letters.

VERY GOOD or Grade 8:
Normal wear, flat looking, very little sharpness remains but all major details visible and Half the Horn still shows.

FINE or Grade 12:
All details strong and definition remains on some high areas of the coin and three quarters of the horn still shows.  

VERY FINE or Grade 20:   
Two thirds of hairlines strong, cheek bone is well defined but worn. Full horn shows but worn.

EXTREMELY FINE or Grade 40:  
Only slight wear on hair ribbon, hairlines are strong. Very slight wear on horn design. Some Original Mint Luster shows.

MINT STATE Grades 60 TO 70:
STRICTLY NEVER CIRCULATED.  NO TRACE OF WEAR. Nice luster on coin.

Good Luck

PapaJack

PAPAJACK

Expertise

Knowledge of United States Coins from 1793 to date. Able to answer most common numismatic questions. Collected U.S. Coins from half cent to 50 dollar gold coins.

Experience

QUALITY CONTROL
United States Coin COLLECTOR/DEALER OVER 20 YEARS, U.S. COINS Worked trade shows,
EXPERT Consulting since 1990, Knowledge of all methods of fabrication used in the industry.
Hobbies:US notes, clocks, cars, computers, coins, leisure activity and crafts to name a few.

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