1937-D Buffalo Nickel. FS-901. 3-Legged. MS-65 (NGC).This is an exceptionally well preserved example of a Buffalo nickel variety that enjoys strong collector demand in all grades. Smartly impressed devices are sharply to fully defined throughout, including over the bisons head, shoulder and tail on the reverse. Bathed in pretty golden iridescence, this satiny and smooth Gem will please even the most discerning collector.The ever-popular and eagerly sought 3-Legged Buffalo nickel resulted from clashing that occurred when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other in the absence of an intervening planchet. Such processing troubles are common in most mints and occur when the planchet feeder tube gets clogged or simply runs out of planchets to feed into the press. When noticed by mint employees, clash marks are removed by filing down the fields ever so slightly. In the case of this famous variety, however, die filing also removed the bisons right foreleg. Traces of unrelated die rust or spalling (die wear) are also noted on this reverse: along the bisons back below the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, on its rear legs, and in the field below its belly. These features are always present on genuine examples.Thanks to having been discovered in the year of issue, this variety is fairly available in grades through at least the middle to upper reaches of AU. Mint State examples can also be had with some patience, but only if one is willing to accept the subdued luster and/or poor striking quality that characterize most such pieces. As an exceptionally produced and preserved Gem, the coin offered here is a noteworthy condition rarity that is sure to please even the most discerning numismatist.NGC Census: 56; 26 finer (MS-67 * finest).
