How To Identify Fake 3 Leg Buffalo Nickels
Use a magnifier or microscope to carefully examine a possible missing leg Buffalo. If you see fine lines, scratches or "rub" marks the coin may be altered, and not an authentic 3 Legged Buffalo. All examples should be submitted to a top tier grading company for grading, protection (that an airtight slab offers) and authentication. It's not advised that a collector buy raw examples of this variety or any variety without a reputable dealer's advice or slabbed in a top tier grading service holder.
One should also check for date and mint mark alterations, as these have been found. The only date and mints that are 3 Legged Buffalo Nickels is the 1937-D. The 1936-D is referred to as 3 1/2 legs, because some or half of the leg is missing, however, this is the most valuable of the two. Refer to our price list below.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Designer: James Earle Fraser
Diameter: 21.2 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - 75%
Nickel - 25%
Weight: 5 grams
Edge: Plain
Mint mark: None (for Philadelphia) on the reverse below FIVE CENTS.
Cherry Picker's List:
Keys, semi-keys, and varieties:
Variety 1
1913 On a mound
1913-D On a mound
1913-S On mound
Variety 2
1913 Plain ground
1913-D Plain ground
1913-S Plain ground
1914/3 Over Date
1914
1914-D
1914-S
1915
1915-D
1915-S
1916 Double Die Obverse
1917
1917-D
1917-S
1918-D 8/7 Over date PICTURE
1918-D
1918-S
1919-S
1919-D
1920-D
1920-S
1921
1921-S
1924-S
1925
1925-D
1925-S
1926-S
1926-D
1931-S
1935 Double Die Reverse
1936 Satin Proof
1936-D 3 and one half legs
1937-D 3 Legs PICTURE
1938-D
1938-D/D Repunched mint mark
1938-D/S Repunched mint mark
TYPE 1 "ON MOUND" (1913 ONLY)
Images courtesy of CoinAuctionsHelp.com
TYPE II ON FLAT (PLAIN) GROUND (1913-1938)
Indian Head (Buffalo Nickel) 5 Cents
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ON A MOUND TYPE 1
STANDING ON A PLAIN TYPE 2
BUFFALO NICKEL FIVE CENTS (1913-1938)
1937-D 3 LEGGED BUFFALO NICKEL
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