Buffalo Nickels
1913-1938
The Buffalo Nickel (also called the Indian Head Nickel) is one of the most iconic coins the US Mint has ever produced. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the obverse features a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs and the reverse depicts an American bison modeled on Black Diamond, a famous bison from New York's Central Park Zoo. These nickels are 75% Copper and 25% Nickel. The date was the highest point of the design, meaning it was often the first thing to wear away - "dateless" Buffalo Nickels are extremely common and worth only $0.30-$0.50. Coins with a fully readable date and strong details are worth significant premiums.
1913 Type 1 and 2 Buffalo Nickel
1913 was a transition year and both designs are collected. On Type 1 coins, the bison stands on a raised dirt mound with "FIVE CENTS" inscribed on the mound itself. The denomination wore away too quickly in circulation, so mid-1913 the Mint flattened the ground and recessed "FIVE CENTS" below a straight line - the Type 2 design used through 1938.
| Mint | Type | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913-P | Type 1 | 30,993,520 | $16.00 | $25.00 | $43.00 |
| 1913-D | Type 1 | 5,337,000 | $25.00 | $43.00 | $81.00 |
| 1913-S | Type 1 | 2,105,000 | $61.00 | $100.00 | $132.00 |
| 1913-P | Type 2 | 29,858,700 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $38.00 |
| 1913-D | Type 2 | 4,156,000 | $162.00 | $249.00 | $313.00 |
| 1913-S | Type 2 | 1,209,000 | $289.00 | $556.00 | $790.00 |
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Key Date 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel
Only 1,209,000 Type 2 nickels were struck at San Francisco before year-end, making this the lowest-mintage regular issue of 1913 and the first key date of the series.
Key Characteristics
Mint Mark: The "S" mint mark is located on the reverse (back) of the coin, centered below FIVE CENTS.Line Type: Verify the flat line (not a raised mound) under the bison - Type 1 S-mint coins are worth far less.
Counterfeits: Beware of added mint marks. Due to its high value and demand, authentication by a reputable grading service such as PCGS or NGC is recommended.
| Year | Grade | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913-S Type 2 | MS67+ | $84,000 | Aug 2025 |
| 1913-S Type 2 | MS67 | $56,120 | Jan 2026 |
| 1913-S Type 2 | MS66 | $6,600 | May 2026 |
| Year | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 P | 20,665,738 | $25.00 | $39.00 | $56.00 |
| 1914 D | 3,912,000 | $131.00 | $265.00 | $438.00 |
| 1914 S | 3,470,000 | $39.00 | $81.00 | $207.00 |
| 1915 P | 20,987,270 | $8.50 | $19.00 | $56.00 |
| 1915 D | 7,569,500 | $34.00 | $103.00 | $194.00 |
| 1915 S | 1,505,000 | $57.00 | $249.00 | $666.00 |
| 1916 P | 63,498,066 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $30.00 |
| 1916 D | 13,333,000 | $30.00 | $61.00 | $148.00 |
| 1916 S | 11,860,000 | $16.00 | $61.00 | $178.00 |
Key Date 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel
Rare 1916 Error Coin
One of the rarest US doubled dies of the 20th century, with roughly 200 examples known. The doubling on the date is bold enough to see with a loupe even on worn coins. Fewer than 15 mint state examples are known. Given that over 63 million 1916 nickels were struck in Philadelphia, every 1916 in your stacks is worth checking.
Key Characteristics
Doubling Of The Date: Strong doubling on all four digits of the date, with the secondary image below the primary. On well worn coins you'll need to examine very closely and possibly use magnification to see the doubling.Top Selling 1916 DDO Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916-P | MS64 | $281,750 | Aug 2004 |
1916 Doubled Die Obverse Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 P | MS63 | $154,837 |
| 1916 P | MS60 | $75,017 |
| 1916 P | AU | $37,263 |
| 1916 P | VF | $14,887 |
| 1916 P | Good | $5,623 |
| Year | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 P | 51,424,029 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $43.00 |
| 1917 D | 9,910,800 | $26.00 | $112.00 | $344.00 |
| 1917 S | 4,193,000 | $38.00 | $148.00 | $407.00 |
| 1918 P | 32,086,314 | $7.25 | $19.00 | $61.00 |
| 1918 D | 8,362,314 | $38.00 | $163.00 | $438.00 |
| 1918 S | 4,882,000 | $25.00 | $132.00 | $407.00 |
| 1919 P | 60,868,000 | $2.75 | $10.00 | $43.00 |
| 1919 D | 8,006,000 | $26.00 | $163.00 | $556.00 |
| 1919 S | 7,521,000 | $15.00 | $154.00 | $468.00 |
Key Date 1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo Nickel
The most valuable coin in the entire Buffalo Nickel series - valuable in literally any grade.
Key Characteristics
The Overdate: Wartime pressure at the Denver Mint led to a leftover 1917 die being repunched for 1918. Under magnification, the upright and angled stroke of a "7" protrude from the upper half of the final "8," and the diagonal of the 7 cuts through the 8's lower loop.Mint Mark: Found only on Denver coins - confirm the "D" below FIVE CENTS on the reverse.
Counterfeits: This coin is heavily counterfeited and altered. It's crucial to have the coin authenticated by a reputable grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, to ensure its authenticity.
Top Selling 1918/7-D Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918/7-D | MS65+ | $511,875 | Feb 2024 |
1918/7-D Overdate Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1918/7 D | MS63 | $62,626 |
| 1918/7 D | MS60 | $42,851 |
| 1918/7 D | AU | $13,754 |
| 1918/7 D | VF | $4,248 |
| 1918/7 D | Good | $998 |
| Year | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 P | 63,093,000 | $2.50 | $8.50 | $38.00 |
| 1920 D | 9,418,000 | $15.00 | $148.00 | $438.00 |
| 1920 S | 9,689,000 | $12.00 | $123.00 | $407.00 |
| 1921 P | 10,663,000 | $5.00 | $30.00 | $92.00 |
| 1921 S | 1,557,000 | $92.00 | $468.00 | $1,523.00 |
Key Date 1921-S Buffalo Nickel
Key Characteristics
Low Mintage: Only 1,557,000 of the 1921-S Buffalo Nickels were produced, making it the major key date of the early 1920s. A recession followed in 1922 - the only year with no nickels struck at all.Mint Mark: The "S" mint mark is located on the reverse, below FIVE CENTS.
Rarity: These circulated hard out west - most survivors are dateless or in low grade, so any example with a bold date deserves a closer look. In AU condition the 1921-S books over $1,500.
| Year | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 P | 35,715,000 | $2.75 | $7.25 | $43.00 |
| 1923 S | 6,142,000 | $15.00 | $163.00 | $498.00 |
| 1924 P | 21,620,000 | $2.00 | $10.00 | $61.00 |
| 1924 D | 5,258,000 | $12.00 | $103.00 | $438.00 |
| 1924 S | 1,437,000 | $30.00 | $468.00 | $2,074.00 |
| 1925 P | 35,565,100 | $3.50 | $10.00 | $43.00 |
| 1925 D | 4,450,000 | $19.00 | $100.00 | $438.00 |
| 1925 S | 6,256,000 | $6.25 | $100.00 | $344.00 |
| 1926 P | 44,693,000 | $1.50 | $6.25 | $30.00 |
| 1926 D | 5,638,000 | $19.00 | $112.00 | $407.00 |
| 1926 S | 970,000 | $38.00 | $281.00 | $3,085.00 |
Key Date 1926-S Buffalo Nickel
The lowest mintage of the entire Buffalo Nickel series
Key Characteristics
Low Mintage: At just 970,000 coins, the 1926-S is the only Buffalo Nickel with a mintage under one million.Mint Mark: The "S" mint mark is located on the reverse, below FIVE CENTS.
Weak Strikes: The 1926-S is notorious for mushy strikes, making sharply struck examples exceptionally rare. Date clarity and horn detail drive the value - gem mint state examples have brought six figures at auction. In AU condition this coin books around $3,085, the highest of any regular-issue Buffalo Nickel.
| Year | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 P | 37,981,000 | $1.50 | $6.25 | $30.00 |
| 1927 D | 5,730,000 | $3.50 | $50.00 | $163.00 |
| 1927 S | 3,430,000 | $2.50 | $50.00 | $281.00 |
| 1928 P | 23,411,000 | $1.50 | $6.25 | $30.00 |
| 1928 D | 6,436,000 | $2.00 | $19.00 | $69.00 |
| 1928 S | 6,936,000 | $2.25 | $14.00 | $132.00 |
| 1929 P | 36,446,000 | $1.50 | $6.25 | $30.00 |
| 1929 D | 8,370,000 | $1.50 | $8.50 | $61.00 |
| 1929 S | 7,754,000 | $1.50 | $5.00 | $30.00 |
| 1930 P | 22,849,000 | $1.50 | $5.00 | $30.00 |
| 1930 S | 5,435,000 | $1.50 | $5.00 | $43.00 |
| 1931 S | 1,200,000 | $21.00 | $34.00 | $69.00 |
| 1934 P | 20,213,003 | $1.50 | $5.00 | $22.00 |
| 1934 D | 7,480,000 | $2.00 | $11.00 | $56.00 |
| 1935 P | 58,264,000 | $1.25 | $2.50 | $12.00 |
| 1935 D | 12,092,000 | $1.50 | $7.25 | $61.00 |
| 1935 S | 10,300,000 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $25.00 |
| 1936 P | 119,001,420 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $11.00 |
| 1936 D | 24,814,000 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $15.00 |
| 1936 S | 14,930,000 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $15.00 |
| 1937 P | 79,485,769 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $11.00 |
| 1937 D | 17,826,000 | $1.50 | $3.50 | $12.00 |
| 1937 S | 5,635,000 | $1.50 | $3.50 | $11.00 |
Key Date 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The most famous error in US coinage
Key Characteristics
Missing Front Leg: A Denver Mint pressman polished a damaged reverse die so aggressively that the bison's front leg disappeared. The front leg is missing but the hoof remains, appearing to float below the body. Thousands entered circulation before Mint inspectors caught the die.Other Markers: The rear leg looks "moth-eaten" near the hip, and a stream of die-polish dots runs under the belly.
Counterfeits: Genuine pieces are 1937-D only. Coins with a leg physically shaved off are a common fake - look for the floating hoof and have the coin authenticated by PCGS or NGC.
Top Selling 1937-D 3-Legged Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937-D 3-Leg | MS66+ | $99,875 | Oct 2021 |
| 1937-D 3-Leg | MS67 (NGC) | $85,187 | Jan 2016 |
1937-D 3-Legged Value Chart
| Year | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 D 3-Leg | MS63 | $5,221 |
| 1937 D 3-Leg | MS60 | $2,258 |
| 1937 D 3-Leg | AU | $1,127 |
| 1937 D 3-Leg | VF | $721 |
| 1937 D 3-Leg | Fine | $666 |
| 1937 D 3-Leg | Good | $559 |
Related: the 1936-D "3½ Legs" variety shows a partially effaced front leg and is rarer still in high grades - around $527 in Good and $1,879 in VF.
| Year | Type | Mintage | Good | VF | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 D | 7,020,000 | $4.25 | $6.00 | $10.00 | |
| 1938 D | D Over S | $12.00 | $26.00 | $43.00 |
1938-D/S Repunched Mint Mark
The first repunched mint mark discovered on any US coin
In 1938, only Denver struck Buffalo Nickels. Dies already punched with an "S" were repunched with a "D" so they wouldn't go to waste. When discovered in 1962, it caused a sensation among collectors. It remains the most affordable major variety in the series - a great cherrypicking target.
Key Characteristics
Repunched Mint Mark: Under magnification, the upper and lower curves of an "S" protrude from behind the "D" mint mark below FIVE CENTS.Dateless Buffalo Nickels & Grading Tips
The date was placed on the coin's highest point, so it was often the first thing to wear away. Millions of "dateless" Buffalo Nickels survive and typically trade for $0.30-$0.50 as novelty or jewelry coins. Date-restored coins (treated with acid such as Nic-A-Date) will reveal the date but are worth only a small fraction of a natural example - though a restored key date like a 1918/7-D still carries real value. For mint state coins, look for a full horn on the bison - a fully struck horn separates premium coins from average ones, especially on the weakly struck Denver and San Francisco issues of the 1920s. The 1926-D is infamous for soft strikes; a sharp one commands big premiums.
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