1925-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-65+ (NGC). CAC.This is an exceptionally well struck, carefully preserved example of a leading condition rarity in the Buffalo nickel series. Warmly patinated in iridescent golden-gray, both sides also reveal vivid undertones of champagne-apricot, antique gold, pale pink and powder blue as the coin rotates under a light. The strike is outstanding for a 1925-S nickel, the overall detail sharp with emerging to bold definition in the center of the obverse, on the reverse at the bisons head and shoulder. Lustrous, satiny and smooth.<p>One of the most poorly produced issues among circulation strike Buffalo nickels, the 1925-S is typically encountered with extreme softness of detail in the center of the obverse, over the high points of the bison on the reverse, and/or in the mintmark area on the latter side. This problem is the result of two deficiencies in the striking process: wide distance between the dies in the press and the use of worn dies. On many mintmarked 1925 Buffalo nickels that your cataloger (JLA) has seen, in fact, the mintmark is little more than a shapeless blob, making it impossible to attribute the coins as 1925-D or 1925-S. Due primarily to the poor quality of strike, this issue is notoriously difficult to locate in accurately graded Gem Mint State, as here. This will be a significant find for the advanced collector specializing in this popular, yet challenging series.
