Lot 731
1918-S. NGC graded MS-65. Attractive light toning. Wonderful lustrous surfaces are flourishing with rich nickel gray and silvery brilliance under the delicate toning. Well struck for this difficult date, with strong obverse and reverse details present, approaching "full". Fully struck coins of this S-mint date are rare. The Mint was having to work overtime in 1916-18 which made quality control decline.
A scarce issue in all grades above Fine, this S-mint delivery is the most challenging 1918-dated Nickel to locate at the highest levels of Mint State preservation. One of the main reasons for this is deficiency of strike, as noted. Many 1918-S Nickels display evidence of having been struck either from dies that were spaced too far apart in order to extend their useful life, or from reverse dies that were leftover from previous years' production. Any survivor that has secured at least an MS64 grade from the leading certification services is a conditionally rare coin, particularly if it possesses above-average striking detail and vibrant luster.
The Type 2 Buffalo Nickel series ran from 1913 through 1938, and it is one of the most widely collected series in all of U.S. numismatics. This type was created when the Mint discovered that the Type 2 Buffalo Nickel did not hold up well in circulation. In particular, the placement of the reverse denomination FIVE CENTS on a raised mound was most unfortunate because this critical feature rapidly wore away with use. In the new Type 2 design, the Mint placed the denomination in exergue below the straight line upon which the bison was now made to stand. Additionally, Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber (who carried out the modifications to James Earle Fraser's original work) also smoothed out the fields and slightly modified the Native American's portrait on the obverse and the reverse bison which had the result of erasing much of the rusticity of the Type 1 motif. Pop 16; 2 finer, 1 in 66, 1 in 66 Star.
Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000.
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