This issue is usually found well struck and with good to excellent luster. This luster ranges from satiny to frosty, depending on the condition of the dies. Fresh dies would briefly produce somewhat proof-like coins, but they quickly lost their hard surface and began to generate coins having satiny, shimmering luster. As the dies wore and developed ridge-like flow-lines, the result would be coins having frosty, textured luster. This is the die state most often seen for Buffalo Nickels of this or any date, as the dies were typically used until they failed completely.
The date 1914 is in higher relief than on the 1913 nickels, evidence that the Mint was already aware of that feature’s inclination to wear. Walter Breen noted that this only subjected the date to greater exposure and thus more rapid wear, but I believe it may have prolonged the date’s visibility by a few years. Sadly, by the time worn examples of this issue became desirable to collectors, most had already been rendered dateless.
Varieties:
- A 1914/3(P) over-date is the most exciting variety for this date.
- Also known is a moderate sized cud break affecting the value FIVE CENTS.
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
| 20,664,463 | 3,912,000 | 3,470,000 |