Lot 1181
1920-S. PCGS graded MS-65. CAC Approved. Housed in an Old Green Holder. Lovely even lavender toning on both sides. Lots of mint luster evident. No flyspecks visible. Satiny surfaces display a sheen of lovely pale iridescence. Well above average for the date where strike is concerned, indeed, the term "razor-sharp" wouldn’t be objected to by most observers. Perhaps one of the finest 1920-S strikes currently available for sale. All the main design details are present, and are strong in all in places. David Lange referred to this date's striking qualities and rarity in his reference by noting "These are almost always quite weakly struck on the reverse. Adequate strikes do turn up, however, and are worth one's patience. In Mint State, the 1920-S is among the scarcest coins in the series. Gems are very rare." Worth ones patience. This is the defining moment for any advanced buyer of rare, high-quality Buffalo nickels. Fortunately for our bidders, the present coin is a gem with a strike that is well above average. For good measure we will note that PCGS has certified just 17 examples of the date, and one at a higher grade. What more can we say? Pop 17; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 3946) .
The reverse of James Earle Fraser’s five-cent piece is memorable in its profile view of a bison bull. In recalling this particular work, Fraser spoke of its unique character: "My first objective was to produce a coin which was truly American, and that could not be confused with the currency of any other country. I made sure, therefore, to use none of the attributes that other nations had used in the past. And, in my search for symbols, I found no motif within the boundaries of the United States so distinctive as the American buffalo." (For a detailed account of this fascinating coin, see David W. Lange’s The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
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| Realized $31,050 |
