Buffalo nickels Stack's Bowers stars

Top-grade Buffalo nickels were among the stars of Stack’s Bowers Rarities Night Nov. 3 in Baltimore.

The coins were part of an auction that stretched from Nov. 2 to Nov. 10 in public and online sessions.

Bringing $105,750 was a 1924-S graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service as MS-66+ in a Secure holder.

There is just one coin of this grade in the PCGS Population report and none finer.

It was described by the cataloger as “Halos of golden-apricot peripheral toning frame lighter pinkish-silver centers. Luster is full and vibrant throughout, and the strike is uncommonly sharp by the standards of this often poorly produced issue.”

Also noted was the difficulty in finding the coin in top condition.

“This issue is well known to be softly struck in general and finding specimens with sharp details can be an arduous task,” the cataloger said.

Selling for $82,250 was a 1919-S graded PCGS MS-66 in Secure Holder.

The coin is described in the catalog as having a “razor sharp strike on both sides of this coin ... Also of note is the surface preservation, which is nothing short of extraordinary. Full satin luster is retained, the appearance smooth, vibrant and further enhanced by lovely lemon yellow and pale rose iridescence. Easily among the nicest examples of this challenging issue that we have ever offered, and a coin that belongs in the finest Buffalo nickel set.”

The PCGS Population is three in this grade with none finer.

The famous overdate rarity, the 1918/7-D, brought $47,000.

It was graded PCGS MS-62 with a Certified Acceptance Corporation sticker.

In the catalog it was described as having “pleasingly original surfaces.”

An MS-65+ 1927-S graded by PCGS with a CAC sticker fetched $25,850.

The PCGS Population in this grade is four with just one finer in MS-66.

Selling for the same price was a 1916-S graded PCGS MS-67.

The cataloger said it is tied for finest known.

“Both sides are uncommonly well struck,” according to the cataloger.

Also noted was that the 1916-S can be especially challenging to locate a sharp specimen.

PCGS Population in this grade is five with none finer.

Visit StacksBowers.com for more information and prices realized.