For a lot of today’s generation of coin collectors, their first experience with an unusual coin was the wheat penny showing up randomly in change. Approximately 1 in 200 pennies randomly picked will have the unusual wheat wreath. The wheat penny’s predecessor, the Indian Head Cent, is a much rarer find. The chances of a coin last minted in 1909 still being in circulation more than 100 years later are small, getting smaller every year.
There’s a similar situation with nickels too. Although increasingly uncommon these days, it is still possible to find Buffalo Nickels, last minted in 1938. An example of a coin better known for its tails side, the front of the nickel bears the image of a Native American chief. Evidently around the turn of the century the mint was obsessed with America’s indigenous people; there are Gold Coins with them too. One can only speculate why.
In recent years, the buffalo nickel has gotten more attention because of the recent $50 gold bullion variety. This one is a little on the impractical side though, its .999 gold content makes it so soft that simply squeezing it between the fingers can lower its grade! And since it weighs an ounce, the new buffalo is well out of the price range of beginners. Seems like these days if you want to get a cool coin you’re going to have to buy it on ebay. But hey, I found a steel penny in circulation once, so I guess anything’s possible. I think the thrill of finding something rare is what hooks coin collectors.
Until next time!