It the date on the Buffalo nickel is worn completely smooth... you can try some Nic-A-Date Nickel Date Restorer on the date area and take a peak at the actual date. It's a chemical which does leave a stain, but if you're curious as to the date, the stuff does works. But, with the stain and the date showing... the coin would loose some of it's charm. K, don't do it... but I just wanted to share the idea of it with you.