Buffalo nickels were minted from 1913 to 1938. Nowadays, you can determine Buffalo nickel value only by mintmark, the minting date, and its condition. Since these coins are relatively rare, even a heavily worn coin is worth well above face value if it has a readable date.
History
James Earle Fraser designed the Buffalo (Indian Head) nickel. Its obverse had a Native American rustic design, and the reverse was with an American Buffalo. The US Mint featured the first Buffalo nickel variety standing on dirt, with a ‘5 cents’ denomination placed on the top.
Unfortunately, such a design flaw caused the denomination to wear off prematurely, so it was changed in 1913. New coins got a denomination recessed below their rim.
The US mint produced 71 regular-issue Buffalo nickels at three places so that you can find three different mint marks:
- Philadelphia without a mint mark
- San Francisco with S mint mark
- Denver with D mint mark
Since Buffalo nickels don’t contain precious metals, their value has been relatively stable over several years.
Buffalo nickel value from 1913 to 1938 by CoinStudy, 9/6/2021 |
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| Year | Mintage | Mint state | Good quality | Fine quality | Extra fine quality |
| 1913 Type 1 | 30,993,520 | $24 | $7 | $10 | $16 |
| 1913 S Type 1 | 2,105,000 | $86 | $31 | $38 | $51 |
| 1913 D Type 1 | 5,337,000 | $44 | $11 | $15 | $26 |
| 1913 Type 2 | 29,858,700 | $23 | $8 | $13 | $15 |
| 1913 S Type 2 | 1,209,000 | $466 | $163 | $234 | $259 |
| 1913 D Type 2 | 4,156,000 | $167 | $94 | $116 | $153 |
| 1914 | 20,665,738 | $46 | $14 | $18 | $24 |
| 1914 S | 3,470,000 | $107 | $19 | $32 | $67 |
| 1914 D | 3,912,000 | $243 | $62 | $88 | $195 |
| 1915 | 20,987,270 | $43 | $3 | $7 | $14 |
| 1915 S | 1,505,000 | $362 | $29 | $55 | $214 |
| 1915 D | 7,569,500 | $131 | $15 | $30 | $86 |
| 1916 | 63,498,066 | $35 | $3.4 | $5 | $10 |
| 1916 S | 11,860,000 | $120 | $7.5 | $15 | $57 |
| 1916 D | 13,333,000 | $122 | $11 | $22 | $57 |
| 1917 | 51,424,029 | $40 | $4 | $5.5 | $10 |
| 1917 S | 4,193,000 | $500 | $15 | $57 | $114 |
| 1917 D | 9,910,800 | $252 | $14 | $35 | $90 |
| 1918 | 32,086,314 | $97 | $4 | $5.5 | $16 |
| 1918 S | 4,882,000 | $865 | $10 | $41 | $124 |
| 1918 D | 8,362,314 | $317 | $16 | $44 | $163 |
| 1918/1917 D | ? | rare | $378 | $$1,144 | rare |
| 1919 | 60,868,000 | $40 | $1.5 | $3.5 | $10 |
| 1919 S | 7,521,000 | $417 | $6 | $37 | $183 |
| 1919 D | 8,006,000 | $544 | $12 | $51 | $118 |
| 1920 | 63,093,000 | $44 | $1 | $2 | $12 |
| 1920 S | 9,689,000 | $492 | $3 | $18 | $110 |
| 1920 D | 9,418,000 | $436 | $6 | $23 | $177 |
| 1921 | 10,663,000 | $95 | $2.5 | $5 | $36 |
| 1921 S | 1,557,000 | $1,524 | $44 | $114 | $410 |
| 1923 | 35,715,000 | $45 | $1.5 | $3 | $10 |
| 1923 S | 6,142,000 | $320 | $5 | $27 | $162 |
| 1924 | 21,620,000 | $46 | $1 | $3 | $14 |
| 1924 S | 1,437,000 | $1,170 | $11 | $63 | $320 |
| 1924 D | 5,258,000 | $301 | $5.5 | $21 | $125 |
| 1925 | 35,565,100 | $36 | $1.5 | $3 | $14 |
| 1925 S | 6,256,000 | $514 | $3 | $13 | $119 |
| 1925 D | 4,450,000 | $271 | $7 | $27 | $95 |
| 1926 | 44,693,000 | $29 | $0.7 | $2 | $9 |
| 1926 S | 970,000 | $2,949 | $15 | $58 | $434 |
| 1926 D | 5,638,000 | $227 | $7 | $22 | $109 |
| 1927 | 37,981,000 | $29 | $0.6 | $1.5 | $9 |
| 1927 S | 3,430,000 | $937 | $1 | $3 | $63 |
| 1927 D | 5,730,000 | $119 | $2 | $5 | $53 |
| 1928 | 23,411,000 | $28 | $0.8 | $2 | $10 |
| 1928 S | 6,936,000 | $165 | $0.9 | $2 | $23 |
| 1928 D | 6,436,000 | $42 | $0.7 | $3 | $27 |
| 1929 | 36,446,000 | $32 | $0.7 | $2 | $12 |
| 1929 S | 7,754,000 | $36 | $0.7 | $1.7 | $8.5 |
| 1929 D | 8,370,000 | $51 | $0.7 | $2 | $25 |
| 1930 | 22,849,000 | $29 | $0.7 | $1.5 | $9 |
| 1930 S | 5,435,000 | $36 | $0.8 | $2 | $10 |
| 1931 S | 1,200,000 | $40 | $10 | $12 | $19 |
| 1934 | 20,213,003 | $34 | $0.7 | $2 | $8 |
| 1934 D | 7,480,000 | $61 | $1.5 | $3 | $16 |
| 1935 | 58,264,000 | $18 | $0.5 | $1 | $2.5 |
| 1935 S | 10,300,000 | $32 | $0.5 | $1 | $3 |
| 1935 D | 12,092,000 | $38 | $0.7 | $2 | $15 |
| 1936 | 119,001,420 | $19 | $0.5 | $1 | $2.5 |
| 1936 S | 14,930,000 | $24 | $0.5 | $1 | $2.5 |
| 1936 D | 24,814,000 | $22 | $0.5 | $1 | $3 |
| 1937 | 79,485,769 | $19 | $0.5 | $1 | $2.5 |
| 1937 S | 5,635,000 | $18 | $0.5 | $1 | $3.5 |
| 1937 D | 17,826,000 | $20 | $0.5 | $1 | $3 |
| 1937 D 3 legs | ? | $1,107 | $232 | $270 | $428 |
| 1938 D | 7,020,000 | $19 | $1 | $2 | $4 |
1915
Determine Buffalo Nickel Value
Once you want to determine Buffalo nickel value, you should pass through three steps, including:
Determining date and mintmark – It is crucial to locate the mintmark and identify the minting date before checking the value chart.
Grading condition – The coin condition will significantly affect its value. You can use images, check YouTube videos, and detailed descriptions to determine the approximate coin grade. However, only an expert can give you the real value.
Special qualities – Most collectors appreciate varieties, so you should check your coin and try to recognize the most appreciated qualities. Keep in mind that some of them can significantly increase the coin price.
Buffalo nickel value from 1913 to 1938 by JM Bullion, 8/6/2021 |
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| Year | Uncirculated | Good quality | Fine quality | Extra fine quality |
| 1913 Type 1 | $35 | $12 | $16 | $25 |
| 1913 S Type 1 | $110 | $45 | $60 | $90 |
| 1913 D Type 1 | $60 | $15 | $24 | $42 |
| 1913 Type 2 | $30 | $10 | $14 | $22 |
| 1913 S Type 2 | $750 | $340 | $450 | $600 |
| 1913 D Type 2 | $260 | $120 | $175 | $235 |
| 1914 | $45 | $20 | $25 | $35 |
| 1914 S | $160 | $26 | $45 | $90 |
| 1914 D | $400 | $90 | $160 | $325 |
| 1915 | $45 | $6 | $9 | $25 |
| 1915 S | $500 | $50 | $115 | $400 |
| 1915 D | $160 | $20 | $40 | $130 |
| 1916 | $25 | $6 | $8 | $15 |
| 1916 S | $125 | $10 | $20 | $90 |
| 1916 D | $120 | $16 | $30 | $90 |
| 1917 | $35 | $8 | $10 | $16 |
| 1917 S | $375 | $22 | $75 | $200 |
| 1917 D | $275 | $18 | $50 | $150 |
| 1918 | $50 | $6 | $8 | $32 |
| 1918 S | $325 | $14 | $55 | $200 |
| 1918 D | $350 | $22 | $65 | $225 |
| 1919 | $32 | $2 | $3.5 | $15 |
| 1919 S | $350 | $15 | $75 | $260 |
| 1919 D | $325 | $8 | $32 | $275 |
| 1920 | $30 | $1.5 | $3 | $14 |
| 1920 S | $300 | $4.5 | $28 | $200 |
| 1920 D | $436 | $6 | $23 | $177 |
| 1921 | $75 | $4 | $8 | $50 |
| 1921 S | $1,200 | $75 | $200 | $950 |
| 1923 | $35 | $2 | $4 | $13 |
| 1923 S | $400 | $8 | $30 | $300 |
| 1924 | $42 | $1.5 | $5 | $24 |
| 1924 D | $325 | $8 | $30 | $235 |
| 1925 | $32 | $3 | $4 | $15 |
| 1925 S | $250 | $5 | $18 | $180 |
| 1925 D | $265 | $10 | $40 | $185 |
| 1926 | $20 | $1 | $2.5 | $10 |
| 1926 S | $2,650 | $25 | $100 | $900 |
| 1926 D | $300 | $10 | $28 | $185 |
| 1927 | $21 | $1 | $2.5 | $12 |
| 1927 S | $185 | $1.5 | $5 | $95 |
| 1927 D | $135 | $2.5 | $7 | $80 |
| 1928 | $23 | $1 | $2.5 | $13 |
| 1928 S | $110 | $2 | $2.5 | $26 |
| 1928 D | $50 | $1.5 | $5 | $45 |
| 1929 | $20 | $1 | $2.5 | $12 |
| 1929 S | $25 | $1.5 | $2 | $12 |
| 1929 D | $23 | $1.5 | $2.5 | $13 |
| 1930 | $20 | $1 | $2.5 | $11 |
| 1930 S | $35 | $1 | $2.5 | $14 |
| 1931 S | $55 | $15 | $20 | $35 |
| 1934 | $18 | $1 | $2.5 | $10 |
| 1934 D | $45 | $1.5 | $4 | $20 |
| 1935 | $10 | $1 | $2 | $3 |
| 1935 S | $18 | $1 | $2 | $4 |
| 1935 D | $42 | $1 | $2.5 | $18 |
| 1936 | $9 | $1 | $2 | $3 |
| 1936 S | $12 | $1 | $2 | $4 |
| 1936 D | $12 | $1 | $2 | $4 |
| 1937 | $9 | $1 | $2 | $3 |
| 1937 S | $9 | $1 | $2 | $5 |
| 1937 D | $10 | $1 | $2 | $4 |
| 1938 D | $8 | $3.5 | $4.5 | $5 |
Besides 71 regular-issue Buffalo nickels, the US Mint produced seven proofs and numerous varieties. Most of them still exist, and they are rarely too expensive. On the other hand, coins in uncirculated MS 64 and MS 65 conditions can be costly and are often rare.
Rare Buffalo Nickel Value
Rare Buffalo nickels, varieties (special or error coins somehow different from other coins produced the same year), or those with key dates (coins with a low mintage) are highly valuable. In most cases, collectors are prepared to spend huge amounts of money to get hold of them.
Rare Buffalo nickel value from 1913 to 1938 by COIN HelpU |
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| Quality | Coins | |||||
| 1914/1913 over date | 1916 double die obverse | 1918 D 8/7 over date | 1935 double die reverse | 1936 D 3 ½ legs | 1937 D 3 legs | |
| Good | / | $3,612 | $905 | $42 | / | $356 |
| Very good | $283 | $6,420 | $1,624 | $67 | $1,175 | $528 |
| Fine | $432 | $8,875 | $2,343 | $91 | $1,423 | $617 |
| Very fine | $652 | $13,512 | $5,066 | $301 | $1,710 | $646 |
| Extra fine | $764 | $20,843 | $7,474 | $580 | $3,334 | $779 |
| About uncirculated | $1,494 | $30,331 | $17,393 | $1,667 | $4,504 | $1,214 |
| MS 63 | $3,737 | $160,000 | $44,319 | $5,462 | / | $5,246 |
| MS 65 | $18,400 | / | $224,250 | $25,300 | / | $32,631 |
Be careful since you can often find these coins counterfeit or altered. Therefore, it is crucial to have it tested.
Proof Buffalo Nickels
Believe it or not, you can find only seven proof Buffalo nickels. Proof coins are those specially made for archival purposes or checking matrices. They have sharp details with a unique brilliant surface.
Proof 63 Buffalo nickels value |
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| Coins | Year | Price |
| Proof, variety I | 1913 | $1,350 |
| Proof, variety II | 1913 | $1,000 |
| Proof | 1914 | $800 |
| Proof | 1915 | $900 |
| Proof | 1916 | $1,200 |
| Proof | 1936 | $1,000 |
| Proof | 1937 | $950 |
Keep in mind that the term ‘proof’ doesn’t indicate the coin condition but the way of their production or manufacturing. Poof Buffalo nickels in an average Proof 63 grade are highly collectible, so it is worth making an effort to find one.
Summary
As you can see, typical Buffalo nickel prices will range only a few dollars. On the other hand, uncirculated coins with key dates can grade thousands of dollars. If you find one of those nickels, it is time to research and check whether you are the lucky one.
