New member with mystery buffalo nickel

[Caddywompas]

Hello all. I am a big time rookie when it comes to the value of old coins. Hope you can help me here.

My Dad recently passed away. He was an 80 year old retired Army Lt Col. He had a very old trunk with many coins including what looks to be a 1920 Buffalo nickel. It appears to be all copper. I can't seem to find any information. Even local coin dealers don't seem to know about it. How can I find out how rare and if this is really a copper 1920 buffalo nickel?

Forgot to mention it was in a velvet bag with other Buffalo nickels in the regular bright nickel color and appears to be the same size in all dimensions.

 

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[kingskid1611]

Never seen a copper one but have seen some really exposed to the elements or chemicals that looks coppery. Hopefully an expert on here can help a little better than I. Welcome to the party and Good Luck

 

[Caddywompas]

Thank you. I am not sure how to tell if it is copper or tarnished. My Dad probably had for 50 years in a trunk and knowing him he didn't did it out of the ground. I'm hoping anyway.

 

[vpnavy]

1st - Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

2nd - Sorry to hear about your Dad.

3rd - Take a look at 1920 FIVE CENTS - Struck in Copper. Now - 1920 Buffalo Nickel states: Substantially high mintage figures definitely help to keep prices lower for coin collectors, who welcome the fact that each of three 1920 issues can be had for around $10 or less, in Good-4 at least. In fact, the 1920 Philadelphia issue can be bought for less than $2 in Good-4. You’ll need to shell out around $9 for a 1920-D in Good-4 while a 1920-S will set you back only about $5 for an example in similar condition.

 

[kingskid1611]

1st - Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

2nd - Sorry to hear about your Dad.

3rd - Take a look at 1920 FIVE CENTS - Struck in Copper. Now - 1920 Buffalo Nickel states: Substantially high mintage figures definitely help to keep prices lower for coin collectors, who welcome the fact that each of three 1920 issues can be had for around $10 or less, in Good-4 at least. In fact, the 1920 Philadelphia issue can be bought for less than $2 in Good-4. You’ll need to shell out around $9 for a 1920-D in Good-4 while a 1920-S will set you back only about $5 for an example in similar condition.

Thanks Vpnavy even I didn't know that.....You learn something new every other day around here.

 

[Chug And Red]

Learning new stuff I Frequent Here HH Chug

 

[Enginefitter]

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Engine

 

[Caddywompas]

Thank you from Sonoma County CA. About one hour North of San Francisco.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum from Massachusetts!

 

[Caddywompas]

Had it weighed. 5.06 grams. Any thoughts?

 

[Carolina Tom]

All of the buffalos we find in the ground are brown or red. Our 5 cent coin is made from nickel and copper. That combination of metals tends to "corrode" when left in the elements. The dug ones are usually rough and slightly pitted from deterioration. Here is a relatively good one from the dirt. Yours appears to have the correct color, but looks too smooth to have been outside. I believe it is a regular buffalo, but I'm not 100% sure.

Welcome to TNet brother!

 

[Honest Samuel]

What other coins and dates do you have?

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to Tnet