BUFFALO NICKEL - The coin from Hell



In 1998, a 1914/1913 S buffalo nickel was found and featured in Coin World. This made the second 1914/1913 in the series, because the Philadelphia minted 1914/1913 was an already known variety. I felt at the time that if Philadelphia and San Francisco both had errors, it would be highly likely that Denver would too. A few months after the story in Coin World broke, I spotted a 1914/1913 D at a coin show and purchased it.

I tried for a while to get it authenticated but was told (on more than one occasion) that there was no overdate for the Denver mint in 1914. I feel I was told this because I was not considered an expert in Buffalo Nickels. I put the coin in my collection and stopped trying to authenticate it. Three years later, Coin World reported the story of a 1914/1913 D nickel being found by Bill Fivaz, the leading authority on errors and overdates.

I contact Bill and sent him my coin. His E-mail responding to me is given below: 

X-WebTV-Signature: 1 

From: XXXX@XXXXX.XXX (BILL FIVAZ)

Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 15:33:16 -0500 (EST)

To: Dan@grub.ws (Dr. Daniel K. Wedding)

Subject: Re: 1914/3-D Buffalo 5c


Dan:  The coin just arrived, and I've examined it closely under my

stereoscope...


First, unfortunately, I do not feel it is from the same die as my 2

pieces.  Neither do I feel it is an overdate, as the suggested right tip

of the underlying 3 cannot be identified on your piece due to the

condition of the coin.  I hope you did not purchase the coin for an XF

which is how it is labeled.  It's a Fine-12 at best, as only 1/2 of the

horn is visible and there is considerable wear on both obverse and

reverse.


I cannot identify any of the other portions of an under number that you

mentioned or drew in your sketch.  The only possible area where there MAY

be something is under the crossbar of the 4, but even that is too weak

to say for sure.  The area on the upper outside of the 4's diagonal I

feel is damage, as I can see where metal has been moved from the surface

of the diagonal in that area.


Nor does it have the diagnostic die break on the obverse.  


I'm sorry, but I must evaluate this as simply a F-12 1914-D, with no

overdate characteristics.


Sincerely,


Bill Fivaz

With no disrespect intended, I feel that Bill is incorrect. To understand what you are seeing, you must understand how the coin was made and what the numbers looked like. The coin had a 1913 stamped on it first, and then a 1914 on top of that. The second stamp (1914) would wipe out most of the 1913. Because three of the digits are the same, the only digit that would show the overdate is the 4.

Below are two images of a standard 1913 and a 1914 nickel. These images are for reference so you can see what a "flat-top" three is and how it might look when a 4 is laid on top of it. These two images were from www.CoinFacts.com :

   

This is a computer generated 14 over 13 to give you an idea of what to look for:



The following pictures are images took of my 1914 - D buffalo nickel I purchased in 1998. I believed then, as I beleive now, that this is a previously undocumented overdate (double die). The flat top is clearly seen extending from the top of the four. The "return point" of the three is also visible approximately 66% way down the left side of the four. Other key features are also visible if you know what to look for. Take a look and see what you think, make up your own mind.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE THEM