Buffalo Nickel Blues: How to Find a Date on a Worn-Out Coin
The Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938) has one of the most iconic designs in U.S. history. It also has the most frustrating flaw: the date is on the highest point of the design, so it wears away almost completely with circulation. Millions of beautiful "dateless" Buffalos sit in jars, their history seemingly lost.
But don't give up! Before you relegate it to the "mystery coin" pile, try these pro tricks to resurrect the date:
The "Pencil Trick": Place the nickel flat on a table. Gently rub the side of a soft graphite pencil lead over the date area. The graphite can settle into the microscopic remnants of the numbers, making them visible.
Angled, "Raking" Light: Shine a bright flashlight or LED at a very low angle across the date area. Shadows in the tiny pits of the numbers might reveal them.
Nickel-Ol Solution: Products like "Nic-A-Date" use a mild acid to etch the worn area. WARNING: This is chemical alteration and will permanently damage the coin's surface, destroying any collector value. Only use this if you value knowing the date more than the coin's numismatic worth.
Remember, a dateless Buffalo Nickel still has value as a type coin or for its silver content (for pre-1938 nickels). If you manage to reveal a key date like a 1913-S Type 2 or a 1926-S, you've hit the jackpot! To check the potential value of a dated or dateless Buffalo, a reliable coin appraisal tool can provide a great reference.
