1914/3 Buffalo nickel

This interesting and scarce overdate is a newly discovers and popular, if not controversial, variety in the series, not counting the 1937-D 3-legged error. Many experts believe the 1914/3 Buffalo nickel was born when a 1913 master die was repunched with a hub bearing the 1914 date. An exact mintage is unknown, but there are perhaps 300 survivors, most in circulated grades. There are actually several variants of the 1914/3, with some showing strong evidence of the top of the 3. Predictably, values are higher for pieces exhibiting stronger indications of the 3.

There is an important caveat that should be noted for the 1914/3 Buffalo nickel, and that is the discourse among some numismatists that this well-known variety may not actually be an overdate. Some believe the variances of the shape and magnitude of the extra design element seen near the top of the 4 may not actually be remnants of a 3, but rather a die chip. If this is true, it could change the overall market desirability for this coin. Time will tell if more experts can collectively conclude the story behind this variety. But, for now anyway, the 1914/3 Buffalo nickel remains a highly sought-after piece with very few examples known in uncirculated grades.
Obverse: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.
Reverse: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface.


This newly aquired 1914 buffalo exhibits quite a few of the major pick up points ,of the 1914/3 buffalo nickel.
As well one of the craziest buffalo nickels I have ever seen.
The obv. If studied closely is clashed like no other that again I have ever run across in all my years of collecting.
I am relatively sure most of you will same the same.
I have up loaded a over lay so you can see just what I am sayiing.

Study the obv. Shows so many different things here are just a few to get your eyes started.
Under the jaw EPU clash, as well as the buffalos back you can see the buffalos cape in his neck both under the jaw line,as well on the back,of the neck.
You can see his eye it looks as if he been punched by Rock Balboa as his eye is thick from clashing.
Above his eye around faintly you can see the animals genitalia.
And if you look between the rear two feathers the eye of the buffalo!
The more you look and study the more one will see just how bad this specimen was clashed.
Sort of the where's Waldo of buffalo nickels.
There's to my knowledge listed by Ron Pope 10 known varieties of the 1914/3 buffalo nickel. I do believe that this is one of those 10 and will be able to make a better assessment once in hand.
Meanwhile while I wait for its delivery....have some fun looking and enjoying a fun time picking out all the stuff going on..To be continued.....

 

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Awesome Article @Paddy54 !
Can you point out where the "3" can be seen? It's not that apparent with my eyes, anyways.

 

You cannot actually see the 3 like you can the 1918/7 ,only fragments,as well file lines that are there trying to Abrade the digit. I will list later the pups as well die cracks to look for found in this variety.
As posted there's 10 that Pope has listed in his book. Stay tuned.

 

Outstanding article and photos. Thanks, and will definitely stay tuned.

 

This is the buffalo hunters most valued guide... By Ron Pope


Next is the know date placements for the 1914/3 variety.

 

So this morning I've marked up a few images to help you see what I am seeing on the coin.
Not everyone has the vision or the ability to determine what they are or aren't seeing.
I have always been fortunate to have both good vision,as well the ability to sort out what is on the coin surface.
Now at times even I need to research at to what I am seeing to better wrap my head around what's actually there...and what's not there as yes the eyes do play tricks.

First one of the major pick up points is the EPU clash under the jaw lin, for the 1914/3 buffalo. Look carefully you will see the lettering of EPU.
The next image under the mandible of the Indian neck you'll see the buffalo's cape , which is also visable on the backmof the neck ...looks like pitted area...this can be seen on many buffalo nickels.
see marked area.
Here's a unmarked specimen to compare.

 

The next photo shows a huge clash of the buffalos back look directly below the lower lip.
That isnt a piercing but the lower back of the bison heading down to the hinde quarters and tail.

Following that line though the lips and down to the neck...again the cape of the upper back and shoulders.

 

Now lets look around the eye and temple... the eye is clashed very heavy. The semi circular line is part of the abdomen of the buffalo, his genitalia can be seen very faint on the temple area. This maybe hard for some to see but refer to the over lays as to the position of the anatomy.

 

Next lets find the bison's eye...it is there, perhasp a little difficult for some to see but look between the two long feathers... then again using the over lays to see the eye. Its a small dot ...but if you look carefully you will see it.

 

Lastly the date... take a good look all around the date notice the top of the 4 see that little nub...as well the file lines from the mint employee trying to Abraded the date that the die was formulary struck with... I believe to be 1913 .... once in hand I can determine if this specimen is in fact one of the known 1914/3 buffalo's.






I hope this has enlightened you some to the series,as well help you understand exactly what you are looking at ,and seeing.
This is why this hobby is so dear to an older mans heart. It sparked the fire in a young boy ..to want to learn ,as well share ,and teach others to find the joy and passion he found in this hobby.

It also helps to unite us as things like politics, religion, personalities .... etc...etc.. divides us at times.
Its the common denominator that we who disagree are given a place where we can find a common ground...and that my friends is a good thing....
Stay tuned... hopefully there's more to come.....

 

Looks like the hind leg details are about the ER in LIBERTY. Nice coin!!

 

You are correct the two dots in front of the eyes are the hinde legs spread.

 

Like the clashes I can see with my eyesight , but I really like the toning . Nice one Paddy . Another winner !

 

Thanks Rusty I appreciate your feed back... and knew you like the coin...was hopeful that you could see with your vision. One of the reasons for the post to help others understand better what's is there.

Lastly I do miss Ron, he was my go to...when I find things like this..as he was the go to guy on buffalo nickels, I do at times feel he guides me to finds like this...as it may or may not be so.... but does help remember a good buddy.

 

Never heard of this book, might be a pickup I need in the future.

I'm all about reference books at the moment

 

@Paddy54
Nice Coin! I would of totally missed it though. Thanks for Numismatic lesson!! I really appreciate it and the time spent teaching us all about this amazing coin.

 

The Book is out of print...worth the hunt...as well price paid.
I highly recommend it

 

Thanks Sal
My pleasure to teach those something what I know...as well learn something new together.
I am totally about this hobby being the pathway for others to learn and appreciate knowledge to share.
I am texted daily by 3 members here old enough to be my grand kids..if I had .... They keep me thinking as well teach me... and would trade these guys for anything not even a 1933 gold coin... just dont add the 1913 nickel thats a hole...lol J/K of course..

 

Very nice story line @Paddy54. My parents used to advise us to learn something new every day, I just did, thanks!

 

Wouldn't it be a 1913 working die (or several working dies) repunched to a 1914 hub? Seems like there would be way more than 300 survivors if a repunched 1914/3 master die was used to make a working hub that then made many working dies. Perhaps just a minor point since I don't know anything about these.