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The Buffalo nickel — the design of the United States’ 5-cent coin from 1913 to 1938 — remains one of the most popular and well-loved coins.
This, despite the fact that it has been nearly a century since Buffalo nickels first appeared in the pockets and purses of Americans.
Here’s everything you want to know about Buffalo nickels and what they’re worth today.
Design Of The Buffalo Nickel
James E. Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel based from real-life models.
The American Bison (which people commonly refer to as a buffalo) is believed to have been Fraser’s take on “Black Diamond,” an American Bison which was featured at the New York Zoological Gardens.
The Native American bust is the beautiful, artistic result when Fraser combined the features of three American Indian chiefs: Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree.
Can Buffalo Nickels Still Be Found In Change?
The answer is yes, but this is an extremely difficult undertaking which often yields the searcher nothing but a bunch of Jefferson nickels (though Jefferson nickels are also exciting to collect).
Buffalo nickels have long been a favorite design among Americans, for these coins reflect a rich and often romantic part of our nation’s past.
Since the last Buffalo nickel was produced in 1938, these coins have been disappearing into collections, hoards, jars, and drawers. Very few remain in circulation today, and those which do turn up are often in badly worn condition.
In fact, due to the location of the coin’s date — positioned on a very “high” part of the coin — it is not at all out of the realm of possibility to find well-worn Buffalo nickels bearing no date whatsoever! These Buffalo nickels are generally worth no more than 10 to 25 cents but, if found in circulation, they still make quite a trophy nonetheless.
Types Of Buffalo Nickels
While the bulk of the Buffalo nickel series contains date and mint mark combinations which are highly common, there are a few particular dates which have become quite scarce over the years.
Most of the “really expensive” Buffalo nickels are either errors or “overdates” — an issue which occurs when mint engravers inscribe a digit of a date over another digit in a date.
Before delving into the various rare Buffalo nickels, it is important to realize there are 2 distinct varieties of Buffalo nickels:
Type I Buffalo nickels include the words “five cents” superimposed on the mound upon which the Bison stands on the reverse of the coin. Type I nickels were struck only during the first year of production: 1913.
Type II Buffalo nickels display “Five Cents” in a recessed area below the mound on the reverse. Type II nickels were produced from 1913 right up through to the end of the series.
Mint marks, which designate the U.S. Mint that struck a coin, can be found on the Buffalo nickel just under the words “five cents” on the bottom of the reverse side of the coin.
Rare Buffalo Nickels
- The 1913-S Type I Buffalo nickel is a scarce issue which retails for around $50 in Good condition. (For a Buffalo nickel to grade at least “Good,” its date and lettering must all be visible.)
- The 1913-D Type II can bring in $125 in Good condition.
- The 1913-S Type II is even pricier, at $350 in Good condition.
- The 1914/3 (where the digit 4 is superimposed over the 3) is valued at $390 in Good condition, and the 1914-D issue can command $90.
- The 1916 Doubled-Die Obverse can bring in at least $3,500 in Good condition. Doubled-die coins occur when the “die,” which imprints a coin’s design, strikes a coin twice thus imparting a “doubled” image on a coin. The degree of doubling can range from barely perceptible to highly evident.
- The 1918/7-D overdate is worth $1,300 and up in Good or better condition.
- The 1921-S which is worth about $70 and up in Good or better grades.
- The 1935 Doubled-Die Reverse is worth around $40 and up in grades of Good or higher.
Buffalo Nickel Error Coins
There are 2 more Buffalo nickels which can cause attention:
- The 1936-D 3-1/2 legs Buffalo nickel (part of the Bison’s front leg is missing)
- The 1937-D 3 legs Buffalo nickel (one of the rear legs is missing completely)
What are these errors worth?
At least $500 and $575, respectively, in Good condition. Prices increase if the coins are in higher grades (less wear).
To find more Buffalo nickel prices, check out the Professional Coin Grading Service price chart.
What About The Values Of Other Buffalo Nickels?
The short answer is that most Buffalo nickels not listed above are worth between $1.50 and $10 in the lower, circulated grades, depending on date and mint mark.
You should consider checking out the latest edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman and Ken Bressett for more insight on values, grading, and other information, including mintages.
To find out more about Buffalo nickels on the web, check out this very informative website dedicated to the Buffalo nickel, or this more concise article on the Buffalo nickel.
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
I Have a question I have a Indian head nicke there is no date on it any idea how I can find out the date and what ir is worth if anything.
Hi, Ida —
Because of the way Buffalo nickels were designed, the date is one of the first things to begin wearing off. Millions upon millions of these coins now have no date. In fact, these are actually called “dateless” Buffalo nickels.
Anyhow, there are acid-based products designed for deciphering the date. The only problem is that — unless you’re holding onto a rare date — it won’t make the value of your coin go up. A typical dateless Buffalo nickel is worth around 25 cents.
The product is called “Nic-a-Date,” and coin dealers sell this both in stores and online. Here’s a link to the product if you’re interested in finding out more about it or want to buy some for yourself: https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/nic-a-date.html
I have several buffalo nickles 1916 – 1936. None have a mint mark so I surmise they were from Philly,…but on the obverse side each has an ‘f’ stamp under the date,..cant find any reference to this anywhere,…
Hi Rob,
The ‘F’ is the designer’s initial: James Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel.
i have buffalo nickel 1924
like to now how menny it is worth
Red,
Your 1924 Buffalo nickel is worth about $2 to $3 in typical circulated grades.
Joshua your coin knowledge is very good and explanatory and i have a question for you i have a ten cent coin from 1899 do you have an idea of its value and another question is I have 3 5 cents coins of the buffalo but only 2 have the date on them do they have any value one is from 1921- 1912
Hello, Lunaliza —
I very much appreciate your comments; I’m very happy to share whatever I know!
An 1899 dime’s value is around $3 to $5 if the coin is well worn, as is typical for coins of that age.
Any Buffalo nickel without a date won’t be worth much more than 25 to 50 cents each; a 1921 Buffalo nickel is worth anywhere from $3 to $10 in the light-to-moderate circulated grades to over $100 if it has an ‘S’ mintmark (under the words FIVE CENTS under the buffalo).
A 1912 nickel has a design of Miss Liberty on the front and a Roman numeral ‘V’ inside a wreath on the back. Are you sure the date is ‘1912’? There are no 1922 or 1932 nickels… 1942 nickels have Jefferson on them.
Hi i have a buffalo coin five cents 1916 with a reversed side in good condition . I just want too know the value?
Bjorn from sweden
l have a buffalo nickle that has no date on it.or under the buffalo with no five cents.lm just wondering how much it would be.patricia
Thanks for your question, Patricia —
A dateless Buffalo nickel is worth about 25 cents. The reason the date is no longer there is that it is positioned in a very high place on the coin and, therefore, was among the first regions of the coin to get worn off first!
I recently came across a 1961 buffalo head nickle…it has the letter f on it and the bison is standing on a line not a mound…can any one tell me what kind of nickle it is?
sillygracie@charter.net
Hi, Vodry —
Since there were no 1961 Buffalo nickels (The Jefferson design had been in use for over 20 years by then…), you likely have either a 1921 or 1931-S nickel… those are the most likely dates for which the third digit may be confused with a ‘6.’
The only other possibility is that you have some type of novelty coin — perhaps a real (but dateless) Buffalo nickel that was counterstamped by a private company with the date ‘1961.’
i have a1920 buffalo nickel. it is in kind of good condition. is it worth anything?
Hi, Momash —
Yes, a 1920 Buffalo nickel that is well worn (but still has a full-date showing, as is the case with yours) is worth at least $2 to $3.
I would like to know about the buffalo head nickle that isnt dated. I have about a hundred of them and I was wondering if they are worth any thing
Hi, Ml —
Undated Buffalo nickels are simply regular coins that have suffered a ton of wear. Buffalo nickels were, unfortunately, designed with a date located in a very “high” spot — meaning that it was one of the first areas to receive wear.
Dateless Buffalo nickels are worth around 25 cents each, though if I had any I would definitely inspect the bison on the reverse for any signs of the 3-legged or 3-1/2-legged error, which would bring some significant value to the coin (even without the date, such a piece would likely bring in 3 figures).
I have a Buffalo nickel with the date 1928 on it. It is in good condition but the only problem is is that there isn’t a number on below where FIVE CENTS is shown. Does that mean anything? How much is it worth?
Dalia —
No number… Do you mean a mintmark? Like a ‘D’ or ‘S’? If there isn’t one on your coin, that means it was made in Philadelphia.
A 1928 Philadellphia Buffalo nickel in typical circulated grades is worth about $1 to $2.
i have a buffalo coin with no date and is sadly dirty, is there any way to clean it and if so, how much might it be worth?
Deathwolf,
There is a product called Nic-a-Date that is used to bring back the date on Buffalo nickels. However, that will damage the coin. The only advantages to revealing the date is satisfying curiosity and, if it turns out to be a scarce date/mintmark combination, it could mean the coin is worth significantly more than the 25 cents it’s worth now dateless.
I have a buffalo nickel, it is dated 1936 and is in great condition how much is it worth?
Yaya,
Your 1936 Buffalo nickel is worth $1 to $2.
I just found a 36 D bufallo nickel. You can clearly see the 36 but 19 is not visible. I knew nothing about them until now. How much is it worth?
Because the half the date is worn away, L, your 1936-D Buffalo nickel is worth around 50 cents to $1.
I have a 1916 Buffalo nickel that is significantly thinner than a regular Buffalo Nickel. Both the obverse and reverse are very grainy and a darker gray color. But the date itself can be seen easily. Any idea what this coin is worth?
Hi, Steve —
Given your description, it sounds like your piece may have been attacked by acid. This is, unfortunately, a somewhat common fate for coins either due to experimentation or exposure to very strong fumes or elements. Such pieces really have no collector value unless they’re extremely rare (and 1916 Buffalo nickels aren’t particularly rare).
i have a buffalo nickel but you cant see the date and i hate that cause i know its not worth much with out it but i still like it any ways i also have a 1944 mercury dime and a 1942 liberty dime and a 1900 v nickel
Melissa,
Coin collecting doesn’t have to be about what a coin’s monetary value is. Most the fun comes from looking for, owning, and learning about all kinds of coins. That worn Buffalo nickel of yours…. just imagine all the hands that coin has seen, all the things it bought, and the stories it could tell if it could talk!
Your 1942 and 1944 Mercury dime as well as your 1900 Liberty nickel are each worth $2 to $3.
i have a 1928 indian head nickel all the writing is visable whats it worth
Cmac,
Such a piece is worth around $2 to $5 in typical grades, so long as all the writing and the date is visible.
i have a 1913 s type II buffalo nickel in perfect condition how much is it worth?
Jamie,
I’m not exactly sure on your definition of “perfect” condition; are there any parts of the design, date, or lettering missing? Is the coin discolored? If you’d like, feel free to post a photo of your 1913-S Type II Buffalo nickel here in the comments forum and we’d be glad to give you roundabout estimate on what it may be worth, assuming it’s genuine.
I have 3 of these coins. Not sure which they are. I collect coins if I found them or the cashier gave them to m me, or because of an event. I found out today a paper bill that I thought was a silly joke is actually worth $400!! SOLD!
I have a nickel that looks exactly like the first image above, it’s a discolored and the dates not so visible. How much would it be worth?
i have a 1936 buffalo 5 cents. it has a missing leg. how much it worths?
Jomar,
A 1936 3-1/2 leg Buffalo nickel is worth $500 to $1,000 in even well worn grades.
do you know anyone who buys it?
I have 2 double sided nickles..back side no dates…what are they worth…very good condition
What you have are “magicians’ coins”, made by cutting standard nickels in half laterally, swapping the halves, and rejoining the two head sides and two tail sides. They sell for a few dollars in novelty and magic shops. They’re not mint errors and don’t have any numismatic value but they’re sure cool things to keep in your pocket to surprise someone!
Hey Joshua I have a 1936 buffalo 3 1/2 legs and a 1937 same how much are they worth.
Hi Gnskev,
A 1936 3-1/2 legged Buffalo nickel is a rare variety and worth upwards of $450 to $500, and the 1937 3-legged nickel is worth $500 and up.
hey joshua i have a 1916 double die 5c.the doubling is evident on feathers,neck,and lips i can read the date with a loop is it worth anything
Cab,
A 1916 Buffalo nickel with doubling in the areas you mentioned is worth around $4,000 and up. If it has not been authenticated, I’d recommend sending it in for certification by a major coin grading company. Here’s some more info on that: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/
i have a non marked 5 cent do u know how much its worth
I have collected 41 buffalo nickels just because I love the way they look been for 30years holding on to Theese they r not mint r they still worth anything or worth my time showing someone to me they r worth the world but Iam just wondering because I don’t see them anymore
Ewalls,
It’s really hard to say without knowing the dates of the Buffalo nickels what they are worth, but it’s safe to say each is worth at least 50 cents to $1.
I have a 1914-D Buffalo Nickel that has been acid dated. I have been reading about acid dating but have not found anywhere that really discusses how it can effect the value of buffalo nickels. As you state in your article, it can command $90 in good condition, but in your opinion, how much would acid dating degrade its value?
Justin,
Great question. As you keenly know, acid dating does reduce the value of such a coin. Largely, the answer depends on how badly the coin’s overall appearance has been affected, but it’s safe to suggest that the value is generally about the same as if the coin had been harshly cleaned; which is about half (more or less) of it’s value if the coin was unscathed. Of course, this is a sight-unseen estimate.
BAD mos take could of cost you thousends on a cirten coin
I have a bunch of 1936 D and a few 1937 but they all have all 4 legs lol
I have a buffalo nickel which looks like it was made in 2005. Is that possible? And it has a half profile on the back. Jefferson?
Capt. Jack,
Yes, the 2005 Buffalo nickel is a special design honoring the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. If worn, it’s worth face value.
i have what appears to be a 1916 buffalo nickel with no mint mark. the odd thing is it appears to have a 3/4 circle around the front shoulder of the buffalo and a full circle around the Indians ear. I cannot find any pictures that look anything like it. what do you think?
Hi, John –
From the description, it sounds like the circles are actually from machine damage, perhaps even a coin counter. Such markings are damage and are unfortunately detrimental to the value of your coin. It is probably worth a couple to a few dollars based on the amount of wear present.
Its a rare coin if my rechearch is correct BUT I AM NOT SHURE
i have a 1913 buffalo nickel it doesnt have a mint mark and im thinking its a type 1. I dont know very much haha so i was wondering how much it could be worth? Its in very good condition i found it in a house i bought and its in a case that has a certificate and 4 tribal stamps it has james a helzers signature ?
I have a 1914 d buffalo with a unusual error… I guess its a one of a kind… just wondering if it adds value or take away value from this coin??
Hi, Wartex –
How would you describe the error? Is it doubling of the date? Part of the design missing?
Hi Joshua, i have a buffalo nickle with no date but instead it has RCC where the date should be and a number 9 on the butt of the buffalo, do you have any idea what it means? or if it’s worth anything? Thank you, my name is sara
Hi, Sara –
Since the dates wore off Buffalo nickels very easily, it’s not surprising that some creative individual decided to carve his or her own initials in there, though the meaning behind number “9” could be anybody’s guess. As a mutilated piece, such a coin really has little to no monetary value to most coin collectors.
hi there Joshua..i have a buffalo nickel here and i cant find which type of buffalo nickel is it. i cant find the mint mark under the five cents name…but its so strange to find a mint mark on the top of the buffalo..and it has an E mark. moreover, the date is not so clear 1913 or 1917? does it have worth?
Hmm… the “E” may be the “F.: Is it under the date? If so, that’s the initial of the coin’s designer, James Earle Fraser. A 1913 or 1917 would both have worth, but without knowing the date or seeing a picture of it here in the forums, it is hard to say exact value. Any Buffalo nickle from that era, as long as even part of the date is showing has a value of at least a couple dollars.
what if i cant find a date on mine
Hi, Daniel –
A no-date Buffalo nickel is worth around 50 cents. Here’s some more info on dateless Buffalo nickels: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/no_date_buffalo_nickel/
I have a 1935-S buffalo nickel in good Very Fine condition any ide what it’s worth? And for buffalo nickels and indian head cents what are the specific years I should look for?
I have a 1937 3 legged nickel with no right rear leg, no tail, no ear on a raised mound with the D under the Five Cents designer James E Fraiser F under 1937. With E and digits I can not make out on top of the Buffalo’s back but not touching . I would like to know the value
Hi, Jason –
From the description it sounds like you may have a really worn 1937 Buffalo nickel without any errors. The famous 1937 3-legged Buffalo nickel has a D mint mark under the mound, and on that coin iris the
I just found a 1930 Buffalo Nickel now every letter every number is visible there are no errors except the buffalo on its back has the Roman Numeral 5 which looks like a V is imprinted on its back have you heard of this before
Hi, Myles-
It sounds like somebody etched the V on the back of your Buffalo nickel, probably an attempt to echo the appearance of the V (Liberty) nickel designed that preceded the a buffalo nickel. Your coin would still have a nominal value of about 50 cents to $1.
Hi, Myles –
It sounds like somebody stamped or etched the coin with the “V” to recall the appearance of the Liberty nickel (has a large roman numeral “V” to represent five cents), which preceded the Buffalo nickel. Your coin is considered altered and is worth nominally more than face value.
my son Daniel is 11 and has been collecting coins about a year now. he has a 1936 buffalo nickel and we noticed a line going thru the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA almost exactly at the center of the letters=right at the opening in the center of the letter A. then we noticed that the line goes all the way around the coin, like it slipped when it was struck and made a ridge in the coin. any ideas? thanks linda and daniel
Hello, Linda and Daniel –
Without seeing a photo of the coin, I suspect you may have found a Buffalo nickel with a die crack – basically a crack in the die (the device that imprints an image on coins) that was transposed as a ridge onto your coin. Please feel free to post an image of your coin here and I can take a further look.
Here is some more info on die cracks: https://coins.about.com/od/coinsglossary/g/diecrackdefined.htm
P.S. It is wonderful that you and your son are enjoying coin collecting together! If you have any further questions, just ask!
Happy collecting!
just found a buffalo nickel from 1937 with the letter f under the date and the reverse side says five cents under the mound with the buffalo on it have never seen a coin this old its very interesting if i could put a picture up i would i have no ideas on coins but a little info would be appreciated.
Hello John,
That’s a great find! The “F” stands for James Earle Fraser, the designer of the Buffalo nickel. In short, the Buffalo nickel coin series was minted from 1913 through 1938, and they are worth anywhere from $1 to hundreds of dollars. Your 1937 nickel is most likely worth about $1 to $2 if it is worn or is the rare 3-legged Buffalo variety.
i have a 1916 BUFFALO NICKEL IN GOOD CONDITION,HOW DO I GO ABOUT FINDING HOW MUCH ITS WORTH N SELLING IT
Hello, Earl —
Most 1916 Buffalo nickels are worth at least $10, but many are worth much more. Only with a photo of both sides of the coin could I provide further details on value.
As for selling your coin, you’ll want to meet with a coin dealer for the best price. Here are some tips on how to find a reputable coin dealer: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/coin_dealer/
I have a one-sided buffalo nickel..it does not have the buffalo just the Indian head..has no date or mint mark…doesn’t even have a value mark on it (five cents) it is in rough condition..anyone have a clue as to a possible value or even where in Wisconsin i could take it?
Hello, Serena —
Without seeing your coin, I’d suggest it’s probably a novelty coin item, as one-sided coins are virtually impossible to produce in the modern era.
Thanks for your question,
Josh
I have a 2008 buffalo nickle with the face half profile and appears to be on the wrong side. Is this possible?
Hello, Bobbie —
Would you please post a photo of your nickel so I can determine what is going on?
Thank you!
Here’s a die cracked buffalo. 20’D.
I thought mine was bad..
I have a 1928 I believe it’s a D mint buffalo nickle. The print is legible tho its pretty worn and dark. I doubt it’s valuable just enjoyed the history on the coin in the process of setting if I had one worth something.
My buffalo head.. Random find.
Hello, Mzter!
Wonderful find! While worth around $1.50 to $2, the history this relic tells is worth much more than money alone.
Thanks for posting your image!
Josh @ TheFunTimesGuide Coins
i have a golden looking indian head buffalo dated 1935 with no mint but a letter e and some unreadable words
Hello, Jason —
It’s possible you have a gold-plated Buffalo nickel, which, as a novelty coin, is worth around $1. Assuming your piece is otherwise unaltered, the “e” you see on your coin is actually an “F” representing the last initial of “James Earle Fraser,” the man who designed the coin.
I have a buffalo nickle that appears to contain no date or mint mark. Is this possible?
Hello, Clinton —
Ah, yes — dateless Buffalo nickels are indeed possible. Better put, they were originally made with a date, but the dates on these coins wore off very easily due to their placement. Each is worth between 50 cents and $1. Here’s some more info: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/no_date_buffalo_nickel/
Best,
Josh
What is the difference value for an altered 1937- D three legged Buffalo than the genuine?
Hello, Kimberly —
An “altered” 1937-D three-legged Buffalo nickel, as to mean a regular 1937-D with some of the leg removed to resemble the rare variety, is worth less than a dollar in worn condition. That’s as compared to a genuine 1937-D three-legged Buffalo nickel, which has a current value of $600 in the moderately worn grade of Fine-12.
Best,
Josh
Thank you Josh, that is what I thought, but I never got a straight answer from any website I visted.
You’re quite welcome, Kimberly!
a couple of months ago I found information on a 1936 Buffalo Nickel also called “Tall Man”. I have a coin that has all the same characteristics. Do you have any info of this coin? I’m unable to find the info again on the internet…
Hi, Mari —
Thanks for the photo — I’d probably need a little more detail around the lower-left of the image here to confirm if this is the “tall date” 1936 Buffalo nickel, which can be worth around $30 to $35 in this grade.
Thanks,
Josh
hey Josh, these two 1935 buffalo nickels were almost thrown out. I saved them along with a bunch of other coins. Any idea of their value? One of them looks like it spent the better part of its life in a wishing well. Thanks in advance!
Hi, Steven!
Good thing you caught these! They’re worth $1 to $1.50, though I’m thinking you might only get 50 to 75 cents on the darker ones.
Great finds, sir!
Josh
Hey Josh I have a Buffalo Nickel and looks to be a 1935 (date is very hard to see but with a good scope you can make out the 3 and if you look hard you can see the 5, right in the middle of the circle is where the 3 is look real hard and you will see it! But any way on reverse side the nickel the Buffalo is at about a 15% downward slant, what would the value on this be?
Hi, Bill —
Normally, rotation errors become valuable once the difference becomes 20 to 30 percent, though your piece would probably find a buyer who collects such errors who is willing to pay at least a small premium.
Best,
Josh
I found a buffalo nickel with mint letter p, 2005 and in good condition, any idea what its worth
The buffalo is also tilted at about 15°
Hi, Payton —
If worn, it is worth face value. Mint state (uncirculated) pieces are typically worth 25 to 50 cents.
I’m looking for 3 Buffalo head nickels from the Year 1923 relatively inexpensive, am Designing a Memorial Trophy in Memory of my Mother born in that year anyone can help would be greatly appreciated
I have 1920-1924-1925-1926-1927-1929-1930-1936-1934-1935 my name is ian buffalo nickels in good condition
Hi,
Each is worth $1 to $2 in typical circulated grades, though you will need to check to see if any have mint marks under the buffalo on the reverse (“tail’s”) side of the coins. Mintmarks on coins of this age usually make the coin scarcer.
Best,
Josh
I am willing to sale it
Hi I have 2 rare nickle one from 2005 and another from 1937 the 1937 is a indian with a buffalo on the back .and the 2005 have a face and a buffalo on the back im willing to sell it 9292679566call or text
The 2005 nickel (sp.) is part of the Westward Journey series. It’s actually pretty common. Hundreds of millions were made but ended up in collections almost immediately, which is why you don’t see them in change very often. Unless it’s uncirculated it’s worth 5¢.
1937 is generally a very common year for Indian Head nickels, in average condition they sell for a dollar or so. The big exception is a 1937-D where the buffalo only has three legs due to a minting error. There are lots of fakes so if your coin has a “D” below FIVE CENTS and is missing a leg, you’d need to have it authenticated.
I recently found this, and am assuming it’s a commemorative or replica coin, but thought it was odd that it wouldn’t pick up to a magnet, I thought it would be metal! It is really thin, and you can see the imprint on the back. Any thoughts on what this is or where it came from? it’s also a darker gold color, like gold dollar coin color, not silver. I also found a 1943 steel penny in this bag (which did pick up with the magnet!)
here are photos of both sides
Hi Amber, what you have is a replica. Because it’s thin and doesn’t have a back, it’s possible it was used as a cover for a coat button or part of some other form of decoration. It’s a neat thing to have but isn’t a collectible coin.
Hi my name Maria Rufino I have a buffalo nickel of 1927 i was wondering if it could worth more than face value
Hi, Maria —
If you can read the date on your Buffalo nickel (you say it’s a 1927, so you certainly can) it’s worth at least 75 cents to $2.
Best,
Josh
What is this mark on my Buffalo Nickel??
Can someone tell me what this mark is on my Buffalo Nickel??
Hi Holly, that mark is almost certainly post-mint damage. The coin looks like it’s had a hard life so it may have gotten scratched, or possibly someone used a metalworking tool to mark it.
Buffalo nickels had a design flaw that caused the date area to wear off quickly. Most date-less buffalo nickels are worth perhaps 10 to 20 cents each.
Hi!! so I found this Buffalo nickel and I want to know if is authentic and how much it worth. Unfortunately I can only see 192 but I can’t see the last digit. I would be so thankful if someone can help me. ( Sorry,my english is bad lol)
Hello, Stephannie —
It looks like that the date on your Buffalo nickel may be beyond recognition. It’s essentially worn down to “dateless.” A dateless Buffalo nickel is worth about 50 cents. The only way to determine what date your Buffalo nickel may be is by using a coin acid called “Nic-a-Date”; it will help clarify the date on the coin, but will also ruin the coin’s originality due to the treatment process.
I hope this provides you a little bit if direction.
Best,
Josh
Thank you very much for your prompt response!!
I have this 1916 Buffalo Nickel but there is no mint mark. Why?
Hi, Joel —
In 1916, only Denver- and San Francisco-minted coins had mintmarks; those made at the Philadelphia Mint, such as this one, did not. Your piece, by the way, is worth about $5.
Best,
Josh
Hello Joshua. Is there such thing as a CAM Buffalo 1937?
Thanks.Randy
Hi, Randy —
Would you please submit a photo of the coin?
Thank you!
Josh
i found a 1913 buffalo nickel today. no mint mark. So assuming its Philadelphia also believe that they say their are type 1 raised ground and type 2 recessed ground….. side with the buffalo where the five cents is
Hi, Kristy —
That is correct, yes — there are two types of 1913 Buffalo nickels and they are identified as you mentioned. The Type I and Type II Philadelphia 1913 Buffalo nickels are worth around $10 to $15 in well-worn condition. What an excellent find you made!
Best,
Josh
Found this nickel in circulation, 1913 type 1, Philadelphia I’m guessing. Is it worth around $15?
Hi, Terrance –
This is a terrific circulation find! Yes, I’d agree with the approximate value you suggested — great research!
Thank you for posting these terrific photos and for sharing your good news here!
Best,
Josh
I found a 1935 S nickel in great! condition.. and gold…was there one made gold??
Hi, Nichole —
I’m afraid not. Your 1935-S Buffalo nickel, worth about $1, was gold plated. Still, what a neat find!
Best,
Josh
Hi there! I have a 1913 type II nickel that is Philadelphia-issued but can see a faint S on the coin despite that it is in Good condition. This is also the same with my 1913 type 1 and the 1923 nickels I have. Are these errors worth much more than face value? I hope so!
Hi, Austin —
Would you please send a photo of these pieces? If the “S” is anywhere but on the reverse of the coin below FIVE CENTS then the letters were inscribed or counterstamped outside of the US Mint.
I look forward to seeing these coins in an image if I may!
Best,
Josh
Yes sure. Forgive me if these are not the best quality but here is one of my prized nickels, the 1913 type II in VG grade. There is no counterstamping at all but below the FIVE CENTS area there is a faint S mintmark. The same applies to the 1913 type 1 and 1923 I have too. Let me know if you want to see more as I am a stumped numismatist!
I have heard that the San Francisco mint actually had all of the coins produced first until the Philadelphia and Denver mints rub over the S to place their mark. The Buffalo nickel had issues of design and minting to start with that lasted many years up until the very end of the series, 1938. I have seen this in a few cases with the Lincoln wheat pennies but notice the Buffalo nickel is the same way. This is a Philadelphia-issued nickel but can see that faint S below the FIVE CENTS and this being the type II variety, can this be worth much more than the $8.50 I paid for this nickel? Also, the 1913 type I and 1923 nickels from my collection are the same way, can they be worth along the lines as S-minted nickels?
Hello, Austin —
I have blown up these very clear (thank you!) images to 10X, which is the usual magnification for viewing small details on coins and see no evidence of any mintmark on this coin. From every indication, this is a Philadelphia 1913 Type II worth around $8. Perhaps an in-hand inspection would reveal otherwise, but I’m entirely confident this is indeed a Philadelphia issue.
It is true that the San Francisco Mint has struck coins first before other mints during some years and for some coin issues, but United States Mint facilities don’t apply mintmarks individually, nor do they physically place mintmarks on the surfaces of coins that were already struck at other mints. The “S” mintmark was included directly on the die that struck said Buffalo nickels.
To reiterate, mintmarks aren’t added individually onto a coin’s surface — they’re stamped along with the design, and they are not removed by other mints in favor of adding a new mintmark. Once a business-strike coin such as yours is minted, it’s minted — and out into circulation it then goes. Any removing or adding of letters or other features after that has been done by private individuals, and not the U.S. Mint. There would be no financial incentive for a private individual to remove an “S” mintmark from a 1913-S Type II Buffalo nickel, especially as those pieces are worth around $270 and up.
Nevertheless, you have a gorgeous circulated example of a 1913 Type II Buffalo nickel, and I can see why it holds a prized position in your coin collection! Are you working on building a type set? A date-and-mintmark set of the entire Buffalo nickel series? I’m wishing you all the best!
Cheers,
Josh
Thanks Josh for replying and answering my concerns. I have many key-dates, including the 1913-S type II but an acid date. I rarely ever buy acid dated nickels unless if these are key dates. I will post pics to show you as time comes along if you are interested.
FYI, here is the eBay link from the 1913 nickel that I showed you and if you can access it, look under the E in FIVE and you may have to look hard but does it look like an S now? https://www.ebay.com/itm/361549182857?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Let me know of what you see and I have another question. I have seen values of acid dates go from 10% of the graded nickel’s value to 50%. Really, how much can one really get of acid dated nickels, depending? If interested, I will post the 1913-S type II nickel acid date on here and paid $22.50.
Hello, Austin —
First things first, I DO see patterns in the surface of the coin that resemble an “S”… Very clever of you to pick that out of the surface grain! It is, however, still a Philadelphia coin.
As for the values of acid-dated nickels, it’s true that they are worth less in value than a full-grade, original specimen. However, the beauty of an acid-treated nickel is that they allow people to fill expensive holes in their albums for a fraction of the price of buying a fully original Good-4 or better. As for the exact value, that is really dependent on the market itself for the coin. As you know, coins aren’t like stocks in the sense that they always trade at certain prices.
The price value guides only reflect averages, and not a stated value for every coin in a said grade. If a person wants a certain acid-treated Buffalo nickel badly enough, they might pay something closer to 50 percent of the original-grade value versus only 10 percent. Based on my experience in the market, I would suggest that an acid-treated nickel generally sells for the same type of discount as a cleaned coin — 30 to 40 percent (at best) of the value of the original, problem-free coin. The difference being in this case that a Buffalo nickel requiring an acid treatment to reveal its date probably would grade less than Good-4 anyway. In that case, relative fractional value for a key-date Buffalo nickel might be as compared to an original Good-4 or Very Good-8 for the same coin.
Of course, as always the case with coin prices, this insight is an average and not a rule. I’ve certainly seen many people buy coins generally valued at X dollars pay much more or much less than that price, based on demand for the coin at the time of sale as well as the coin’s individual qualities.
At any rate, I say buy the coins that appeal to your heart and whims. If you buy the best coins you can afford, and do your research to ensure you aren’t grossly overpaying for them, you’ll always get a “great deal” and be happy with the coins you bought! Please always feel free to ask any coin questions you may have!
Best,
Josh
Thanks for your reply Josh. This helps fellow numismatists like me out. I will upload pictures from some of my collection in the near future if interested..
For clarification, there is no extra value for the faint S errors on a Philadelphia-issued nickel, especially from 1913?
Hi, Austin —
It is my pleasure to help, and I’m glad that you are enjoying our site! As for the piece you have it is not an error or die variety (though I do see the S-shaped wear grain on the reverse — ha ha!) and is worth about $8 in that grade.
I look forward to assisting you with more of your coin-related questions and comments in the future!
All the best,
Josh
I do have another question. I have heard that partial dated nickels are not worth as much as a G graded nickel but I think that these can hold equal value if the majority of the year is visible and would consider it at least a G nickel. Also these can hold better value than the acid dated nickels. Am I right on making these assumptions?
Hello, Austin —
Technically, grading isn’t a perfect science. What that means is, yes, you might grade a Buffalo nickel of a certain date as a “Good-4” — you could even sell it as such if you state that you’re grading on your standard. However, another person buying the coin might view it as an About Good-3 and offer a lower amount than you’re asking. As coins aren’t like stocks, labeling a coin with a certain grade doesn’t guarantee you’ll get what the price guides say that coin is worth in said grade. Coins, as are the nuanced methodologies of coin grading, are much more an art than a refined, cut-and-dry practice.
Having said that, here are some thoughts… According to ANA standards, the “date is partially visible” on a Good-4 Buffalo nickel, and a corresponding photo of the coin shows all four digits are legible, but not necessarily clear. “Photograde” (a well-known grading guide by James F. Ruddy) suggests similar. About Good-3 Buffalo nickels allow only a partial date to show, but the date must be recognizable. The general grading consensus among these and other grading guides is that a Good-4 Buffalo nickel must generally show a full date, but not necessarily a “distinct” date, if that makes any sense. In other words, the date must be fully readable but not necessarily stand out boldly from the rest of the coin.
I personally grade Buffalo nickels using these standards, too. At the end of the day, your interpretation of a Good-4 coin might be another’s About Good-3 or yet someone else’s Good-6 or even Very Good-8. I would rather err on the side of caution than overgrading.
To answer another question about acid-treated nickels, yes — an original, problem free Buffalo nickel with a lot of plain-old honest wear is virtually always worth more than an acid-dipped nickel. An acid-treated nickel is considered a damaged or altered coin that would only really hold any value if it turns out to be a scarce date. In general, acid dipping, cleaning, etc. are really two of the mortal sins of coin collecting, and thus they are best avoided whenever possible.
I hope this helps shed some light on the topic!
Best,
Josh
Helpful information and well appreciated, thanks! I will be following your site and checking often! I know that these are not nickels but I have 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollars from all three mints issued and paid $46 for them total and these are in AG grades. Are these increasing in value?
Hello, Austin!
What a neat year set. For $46 you didn’t do too badly at all on this deal. I do, however, suggest buying coins grading Good-4 and up if possible, only because that is a collectible grade that has a much larger market during resale.
As for coins increasing in value, there is no way to tell where this market is going, and I’ve written two articles in the past 18 months interviewing dealers, some of whom have suggested that prices on classic series (such as Walking Liberty half dollars) have been stagnant for a while. That doesn’t mean prices won’t go up in the future or fall further, but for right now, according to a few dealers’ personal observations anyway, it’s a stable market.
Best,
Josh
Awesome to know and thanks for the information!
You’re most welcome, Austin!
Hello . I have a 1937 with out a ment mark dose this mean its minted in Philadelphia and also a 1937 d can you tell me there worth please thank you number one fan
Hello there, David!
Wow — those are some beautiful Buffalo nickels! Yes, the 1937 without a mintmark was a indeed struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
Based on the great images yo sent, it looks like the 1937 Buffalo nickel grades at least AU-50 (though it could be higher, based on what an in-hand evaluation would reveal). The 1937-D is a nice AU also.
If the 1937 is an AU, it’s worth $8 to $9; if it’s uncirculated (and it may be if there is no wear visible from different angles on the high spots), the value climbs to about $23 and up.
The 1937-D is worth around $9.
Great coins!
Josh
Thank you for your Insight on these coins on trying to hone my grading skills and I was just curious how close I was thank you so much Joshua number one fan
My pleasure, David! Always feel free to ask any coin-related questions right here and I’ll be glad to help!
Hi
I have a 1918 buffalo coin i just cant see if the
7-D is there is it worth anything
I also have another one that the date has fadef is it worth anything
Hi, Marilyn —
Your 1918 Buffalo nickel is worth about $5. No, there is no mintmark on the reverse of the nickel under the words FIVE CENTS, meaning this piece was struck at the Philadelphia mint.
Keep checking your change!
Josh
Hey there Josh, I believe that this particular nickel will get your interest. (I am going to put you to the test on this information!) Here is a 1913-D Type II nickel that looks to be in AU grading as I see many of the original details sharp or so I assume. However, this nickel is in this watch fob commemorating the 1915 Grand Council of The North American Indian held in Denver in conjunction with the Pan-Am exposition in the same year. This fob was made by Sachs-Lawlor in Denver but I do not know anything else more about this item. I have looked up these fobs and only three popped up and two of these were Type I D’s sold anywhere from $78-$150. The other was also a Type I Philadelphia-issued that sold for $114 and these had slight corrosion except the Philadelphia-issued one. I wonder how many of these fobs were made and out these, how many of the Type II Denvers like mine? I need your expert help as this is a cornerstone piece for me that I will not sell. I am a Political Science major and this just makes my day that not only is this a rare nickel variety but also commemorates Native American heritage!
Hello, Austin —
You would be interested to know that Sachs-Lawlor, a rubber stamp and metal sign firm, purchased Artcraft Sign Company in 1987 and operates under that name. While I’m unable to place calls now to the company in Denver since it is past business hours, it might be interesting to contact them sometime and see if they have any information on how many of these, or similar, pieces may have been made.
As for the 1913-D Type II nickel itself, 4,156,000 were made and they are indeed worth $200 to $225 or so in the higher-end circulated grades. The photo appears to be a thumbnail that I can’t expand, so I unfortunately can’t provide an opinion on the grade at this time.
The market for such pieces is dictated not necessarily by how many were made, but rather the collector demand for the item. The fact of the matter is, this piece has value on at least three fronts: numismatic/exonumia, Native American, and socio-political.
I have also seen price estimates ranging from $75 to $150. Clearly, the inclusion of the 1913 Type II nickel would raise the estimate higher, though I suspect the value would not be much more than $300; after all, at some point, one must consider that the coin — a scarce collector piece — can’t be popped out of the mount without ruining both the coin and the setting, not to mention the historic originality of the entire item.
The coin collector must therefore decide if it’s worth buying a valuable, scarce coin like this that really can’t be placed into an album or other type of holder to fill a hole. Meanwhile, the socio-political collector must decide if he or she can rationalize spending $250 or $300 on a relic that may have much more theoretical monetary value to coin collectors than in the strictest sense to someone who wants the piece as a representative memento of the 1915 Grand Council of The North American Indian. At any rate, yours is a great “problem” to have!
I hope this provides some insight for you!
Cheers,
Josh
This does help thank you! I wonder how many of these fobs were made total now? LOL. And here are better pics so hope this helps determining grade as this is the best specimen I have ever seen!
Hi, Austin —
I don’t know the answer to that myself, nor do I have any record in my databases, but I would venture to say the sign company may have some information on this. You might want to try calling Artcaft Sign Company at (303) 777-7771 or email at info@artcraftsign.com
Good luck!
Josh
I will and thank you. Do you think that this qualifies to be at least an AU nickel?
Based on the photos, I would think an AU grade is fair.
What is a 1910 nickel worth ?
Hello, Karen —
A well-circulated 1910 Liberty nickel is worth $1 to $3.
Best,
Josh
Can you give me any approximate value on this one?
Hello, Dee!
Nice piece! Your 1930 Philadelphia-minted Buffalo nickel is worth around $1.50.
Best,
Josh
Hi. I was wondering about the value of this 1938-D/D . And is it one of yhe more commom error for the buffalo nickels Thank you #1
Hi, David!
It appears you have a nice specimen of the 1938 D/D Buffalo nickel. If yours is uncirculated, it’s worth about $20 and up. It’s certainly a neat die variety!
Best,
Josh
Thank you Joshua
You’re welcome, sir!
Hi, I found this 1937 Buffalo/Indian head nickle in an old shoe box. The closest I could get on info of it is, it matches the one on this internet site pic shown to the right. Mine has an “F” below the date. All words are perfectly readable and there is no state mint mark under the buffalo at all. Only the highest points of the relief show mild wear and lower details are perfectly intact. Do you have any idea if mine is worth anything since the highest points are worn ? Thank you sir.
Mine looks gold in the pic, but it’s not. It’s silver looking. The gold is simply the lighting in my room.
Hello, Kat —
Your 1937 Buffalo nickel grades in the Fine-12 to Fine-15 range, which refers to moderate circulation wear. 1937 Buffalo nickels in that grade are generally worth $1 to $1.25. The 1937 proof Buffalo nickel you see listed online for $1,449 refers to a scarce collector variety that wasn’t created for circulation, such as the vast majority of 1937 Buffalo nickels were.
I hope you find this info helpful,
Josh
I have a 1937 nickel
Hi, Cassie —
Average, circulated 1937 Buffalo nickels are worth 75 cents to $1.50 each. You may, however, have a rare 1937 3-legged Buffalo nickel. See if you have one after reading this info: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/buffalo_nickels-2/
Good luck,
Josh
Hi there, I found one of these but it dose’nt have the date on it. It is well worn but the Indians head has a var strong brow that pokes out from the forhead. It doesn’t have a mint mark under the five cent. Is this worth anything? I cant get any photos to upload.
Hi, Sarah —
It sounds like you have a dateless Buffalo nickel. Here’s more info about them: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/no_date_buffalo_nickel/
Yours should be worth about 50 cents.
Thanks for your question!
Josh
I have 3 Steel 1943 pennies, any idea what I can get?
Hi, Karen —
Circulated, regular-issue 1943 cents are worth to 10 to 20 cents each.
Good luck,
Josh
Hello My Grandfather Has a Buffalo Nickel The Condition is Not that Great, And I cant Really Make out the Type.
But if its Worth Anything I am Ok With Parting with it.
Hello My Grandfather Has a Buffalo Nickel The Condition is Not that Great, And I cant Really Make out the Type.
But if its Worth Anything I am Ok With Parting with it. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6113f8be55b7ea3a8c1bdfc7bd952761e39703b6cbc08597b487bebed0c82542.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/69cefbd86dd570bfd2528e405d63521452a6d03cee707cf598fc74a8aac76282.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/06f5faa10a5981c12cfd1f3aa716e73c49136d71c66f99e4fa4f8964bc07236a.jpg
Hello, J —
It appears to be dateless (I can’t blow up the image very large to see if I can find any indication of recognizable date numerals). I can also see this is a line type reverse, which rules out this being a 1913 Type I nickel. In general, dateless Buffalo nickels are worth 25 to 50 cents. I’d personally recommend you hang onto this coin as a classic memento of your grandfather.
All my best,
Josh
I pay at my local coin shop .25cents for dateless buffalo nickels and .50cents for dated buffalo nickels and $1 for v nickels spent around $9.00 the other day and got these
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1932dd625bd9dcbc5b939cfb0b4c72fb392969ad14a83a575141ce2259442c8b.png
Hi, Jason —
It sounds like you’ve made some terrific finds. I’d say each piece would be sellable as filler coins for sure. Based on what these coins would be worth as problem-free Good-4 specimens, I’d venture values for these Fair-2/About Good-3 (or whereabouts, right?) coins treated with nic-a-date would be the following:
*1883 No Cents — $3 to $5
*1883 With Cent — $12 to $15
*1916-S — $3 to $5 each
*1917-S — $15 to $20 each (not nic-a-date)
*1918-S — $3 to $5 each
*1919-S — $2 to $3 each
*1920-S — 50 cents to $1.50 each
*1921-S — $25 to $40
*1925-S — $1 to $1.50
*1931-S — $8 to $12 (non nic-a-date?)
I’m not sure what the grades are on the 1917-S and 1931-S nickels; clearly they would be worth more if they’re full Good-4 or better.
Best,
Josh
hello…i want to get a real buffalo nickel with cent please contact me on +18436832935 please waiting for reply thanks
Has anyone seen a buffalo nickel like this before? It almost looks as if it is too shiny. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/52737b8b20bdc23753fd56850a8880751f6f7060837662e4666e043049be5a6d.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7ea7f5383a2cb0865f862531134428513b3b75539f27ddac5ee5527a6f028ca4.jpg
Hi, Ashley —
You’re exactly right, this coin is too shiny for a Buffalo nickel whose date is worn to oblivion and is circulated. This piece was buffed or polished by somebody outside of the Mint. A dateless Buffalo nickel is generally worth 25 to 75 cents and with the cleaning it’s probably worth closer to 15 to 25 cents.
This is still a cool find!
Josh
I was going through my late grandfather’s collection and I found a buffalo nickel in a separate envelope. The date on the front is worn off, but the e in five is completely missing. Is this significant?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a03d5516f2b70877b80b2de31f0650eef0ca91ee2c9441998b89e82f0be9f6c4.jpg
Hi, Jen —
The missing “E” in “FIVE” is likely more significant than the fact that the date is worn off. While Buffalo nickels feature a “high” date and thus are prone to wearing off, the missing “E” is probably due to a grease-filled die or some other type of striking error. If so, its value is likely around $1 to $2.
Neat find!
Josh
Hi Joshua, I have 2 buffalo nickels. How do I get in touch with you so that you can check if it’s worth anything?
Hello, Aleweyah —
There’s a little rectangular icon on the bottom left of the comment boxes. Clicking on that box will open the photo upload option. What are the dates of these two Buffalo nickels? Any mintmarks?
Thanks!
Josh
hey joshua what is this buffalo nickel worth
https://imgur.com/a/u7JXT
Hello Joshua,
I am wondering if a dateless 1913 type 1 raised ground buffalo nickel has more value than other dateless buffalo nickels as we know what year it is?
Hi, Clement —
In theory, yes — it would have value as a so-called “filler coin” — a piece used to literally fill a hole in a Buffalo nickel coin folder or album for that date, mint, and type. I imagine a dealer will not offer much for it since it’s not going to grade “Good-4,” which is usually the minimum collectible grade for most Buffalo nickels. Perhaps on the order of $1.50 to $3 — which is much more than the 15 to 25 cents ordinarily offered for dateless Buffalo nickels.
Nice find!
Josh
i have a buffalo nickel i would like some help getting the value of it can someone help me with this issue please
Hi, Pamela —
Would you please post clear photos of both sides of your Buffalo nickel here? I’ll be glad to help further…
Best,
Josh
George Squires or Chief Running Water said he was the model for the coin. He never withdrew that statement even in death. He was my sons great, great Grandfather.
Hi, Marty!
Wow, this is really neat information… I’d love to hear more about what you know of Chief Running Water and his involvement with the Buffalo nickel sometime. Thank you for sharing this with us here.
Best wishes,
Josh