1936 5C Satin PR67 认证号21303982, PCGS号3994

Many ‘true matte proof’ collectors look at the 1936 satin with disdain. It’s not a ‘real’ matte proof, right? Well, this coin dispelled a few misconceptions for me. Honestly, I’m not sure which element of this coin fascinates me the most. Color: The obverse, primarily. The coin has an assortment of colors, but the coolest is a bright copper-colored streak that runs at an upward diagonal from 8:00 - 2:00 O’clock across the top of the Indian’s face and hair. One spot of iridescent green ended up in the part in the Indian’s hair at roughly 12:00. Very nice. The texture is definitely somewhere between a matte and brilliant proof. The reverse fields are nicely satin-textured and have an array of die striations in almost every flat-surfaced field area of the coin. While the striations are stronger on the reverse, a few very pronounced striations can be seen running in semi-circles to the left of the “E” in “E PLUIBUS”. The reverse color is more of the copper/gold on the bison’s head and specifically facial are over the beard, with a very subtle green streak running from the grassy ground upwards to the bison’s mouth – obviously a well-fed animal. So, as to any trepidation I may have had towards the 1936 Satin Proof Buffalo Nickel, to paraphrase the 1960s group the Monkees: “Then I saw [his] face, now I’m a believer…..” Thank you, Todd Imhof.

Jaime Hernandez

The Mint struck 1936 Proof Buffalo Nickels in two different finishes. The first finish is recognized as a Satin Finish while the second is referred to as a Brilliant Finish.