I had a newspaper route in 1974-75 (South Bend Tribune). I don't think I ever came across a buffalo nickel in my collection money over the whole time I had the route. Even though the last buffalos were minted 'only' 37 years earlier. Remarkable when you think how common it is to see a 1981 or older nickel in this day and age. I did, however, every so often get Jeffersons from the 1940s-50s. That's a testiment to how the buffalos had become collectable from very early on.
I also started paying attention to the nuances of dollar bills. The 1963 series were uncommon and fading from existance. Henry Fowler was the S-O-T-T on most that changed hands, but I remember a classmate telling me to be on the lookout for bills with the Joseph Barr signature.
Never did see a silver certificate.
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