1937-D 5C Three-Legged MS65 PCGS Secure. FS-901....

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1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
Sparkling Gem Example

1937-D 5C Three-Legged MS65 PCGS Secure. FS-901. David Lange makes some comments in The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels concerning the 1936-D 3-1/2 Legged Buffalo variety that could equally well apply to the 1937-D Three-Legged:

"I have mixed feelings about the popularity of varieties that result from later states of a die that originally was normal. Under this heading fall other popular issues such as the 1922 'No D' cent and the many 'two-feather' Buffalo Nickels. While certainly collectable as novelties, I believe that too much value is placed on their significance with respect to the minting process. Obviously, from the prices quoted here, mine is a minority opinion, and this issue is very high on the want lists of series specialists and variety collectors in general. Upon gaining acceptance into the online certified registries maintained by NGC and PCGS, this demand only grows."

This is a fairly astonishing statement, although to his credit Lange admits to his view being a "minority" one. The absence of certain features on an otherwise-normal coin--the D on a Lincoln cent issue known to have been made only in Denver, the foreleg of a bison--is part of the essential appeal, the interesting wrongness, of many similar errors that also include the several Two Feathers Buffalo nickel varieties.

Although the reverse is rightly studied intently on the 1937-D Three-Legged nickel, both sides have numerous interesting die markers that reward further study--the stream of raised dots between the bison's legs has inspired numerous crude epithets, but the mangy tail, a missing portion of the bison's beard, and several obverse die markers all contribute further to a high interest factor.

This Gem is sure to appeal to the ambitious Buffalo nickel collector. Ample frosty luster graces the surfaces, which are pale nickel-gray where not lightly toned peach and pink. Decidedly above-average definition and preservation combine for uncommon eye appeal. PCGS has graded just six numerically finer examples (3/14).
From The Northern Lights Collection.(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 3982, Greysheet# 3145)

Weight: 5.00 grams

Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

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