1923-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-66 (NGC).This is a beautifully toned, upper end Gem that represents a significant find for the 1923-S nickel. Both sides exhibit blushes of iridescent emerald green, pale pink and champagne-apricot to a base of warm golden-gray patina. Exceptionally well produced for this challenging Roaring Twenties issue, both sides possess bold to sharp striking detail that even extends to the high points. A remarkable coin, among the finest that we have ever handled for the 1923-S Buffalo nickel. After a brief hiatus in 1922, nickel production resumed in 1923 at Philadelphia and San Francisco after stockpiles of earlier nickels had finally been exhausted. The overall striking quality is a mixed bag, with many coins struck from a moderately strong obverse die paired with an older die so worn from heavy use that many key details are nearly flat. Exceptionally strong strikes from fresh dies are quite rare and particularly sought after by cognoscenti. Most Uncirculated 1923-S nickels fail to meet the exacting standards worthy to attain the Gem accolade. This sharp and attractive coin, then, is an important condition rarity that would make an outstanding addition to any advanced Buffalo nickel specialists cabinet.
