1926-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC.An attractive and softly toned near-Gem, with tinges of golden iridescence across each side. A minor lamination in the planchet is apparent near the jaw on the obverse but the surfaces are without notable post-mint defects. Satiny and lustrous throughout, featuring approval by CAC for premium quality. Discounting only the overdates and varieties such as the 1918/7-D and 1916 Doubled Die Obverse, the 1926-S is the rarest Buffalo nickel in Mint State. It has the lowest mintage of any circulation strike delivery of the type with only 970,000 coins produced. Even low grade Uncirculated survivors are very scarce, while Gems are nearly unknown per David W. Lange (The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels, Second Edition, 2000). This near-Gem is an important and scarce offering, with just 17 coins certified finer by PCGS. An ideal example for the collector assembling the finest Buffalo nickel set.
