Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Buffalo Nickels
1916 5C Doubled Die Obverse, FS-101, AU58 PCGS. A pair of tough-to-find Buffalo nickel varieties reside within the early dates of the series that challenge the many collectors of America's most popular nickels. The 1918/7-D is a scarce Guide Book variety in its own right, but the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse (also a Guide Book variety) is rarer -- especially in About Uncirculated grades and finer. Neither variety was noticed until many years after their mintage, adding greatly to both the absolute and conditional rarity of each Mint anomaly.
The present coin is a near-Mint example of the Doubled Die 1916. It displays in stunning clarity the wide spread on the date, feathers, chin, throat, and braid knot. Only the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln cent presents an equally dramatic doubling, although many could argue the nickel is even more spectacular. It is certainly far, far rarer. Pale-gold toning warms the steel-gray surfaces on each side, with nearly full mint luster remaining across the smooth and satiny fields and motifs. A tiny scrape beneath the chin is the sole mark of note. Population: 6 in 58, 7 finer (11/16).
1916 5C Doubled Die Obverse, FS-101, AU58 PCGS. A pair of tough-to-find Buffalo nickel varieties reside within the early dates of the series that challenge the many collectors of America's most popular nickels. The 1918/7-D is a scarce Guide Book variety in its own right, but the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse (also a Guide Book variety) is rarer -- especially in About Uncirculated grades and finer. Neither variety was noticed until many years after their mintage, adding greatly to both the absolute and conditional rarity of each Mint anomaly.
The present coin is a near-Mint example of the Doubled Die 1916. It displays in stunning clarity the wide spread on the date, feathers, chin, throat, and braid knot. Only the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln cent presents an equally dramatic doubling, although many could argue the nickel is even more spectacular. It is certainly far, far rarer. Pale-gold toning warms the steel-gray surfaces on each side, with nearly full mint luster remaining across the smooth and satiny fields and motifs. A tiny scrape beneath the chin is the sole mark of note. Population: 6 in 58, 7 finer (11/16).