Skip to main content
Go to accessibility options

Description

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
Conditionally Rare MS65 Example

1937-D 5C Three-Legged MS65 NGC. FS-901. Die clashing in U.S. coinage is a well-known phenomenon to serious numismatists. Many Seated Liberty coins in particular show clashing, although Morgan dollars, Shield nickels, three cent silver, three cent nickels, and other series are known for them as well. In the Buffalo nickel series, some issues such as the 1913-S Type Two are so well-known for a particular clash that they are called the "bearded Indian" variety, from a reverse die clash of E PLURIBUS UNUM beneath the Indian's chin.
The Three-Legged Buffalo was created from clashed dies as well, a phenomenon where the feeder for a coin blank fails to insert it into the press, and the dies come together without an intervening planchet. Each die thus receives a partial impression from the other. The fourth leg of the Three-Legged Buffalo was effaced by a mint worker trying to cover evidence of previous die clashing. While obviously we do not know how the clashing appeared before the "repair," it is safe to say that in this case the cure was worse than the disease.
The surfaces of this Gem exude lovely soft mint frost, and the striking details are far superior than usually seen. Each side displays a significant overlay of ice-blue and just a bit of slight reddish patina and there are no mentionable marks on either side. Census: 53 in 65, 21 finer (3/10).(Registry values: N4719)

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

Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5.00 grams
Weight: 0.13228oz
Mintage: 17,826,000


View Certification Details from NGC

Auction Info

Auction Dates
Apr-May, 2010
28th-2nd Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 15
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,334

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Apr 29, 2010 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
Track Item