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.
I found this buffalo Indian head nickle just wondering the value
I have a1935 1936 1937 Buffalo nickels with a f or a p I can’t see them plain My mygrafine glass isn’t very good .
It says on goggle 1935 E is worth 30,000 chart say nothing
Can you take a look at these buffloe. Coins
What if the nickel is with 3 legs and from Philadelphia 1937?
I’d like to send a picture of it. Where can I?
I have a 1939 Buffalo nickel with a Buffalo on one side and an Indian head facing right instead of left like most coins are can I get some feedback on the value of it from someone
I have nickel 2005 with a Buffalo on it , is it worth anything ?. If you need a photo where do I send it ?
I have legends of the west complete us bufgalo nickel collection could u give me an estimate on value
I have a buffalo nickel with Indian Head on other side but cannot see a date what is the value of this.
Can’t find a mint date or the value help me find out what it’s worth
I have 1937 D buffalo nickle is it worth any thing ?
I have a 1913 Buffalo Indian nickel it Majors 3in is it worth anything it’s going to Mint s on it
I have a 1913 Buffalo Indian nickel it measure 3in is it worth anything it’s got the Mint s on it
I have a frame containing 12 Indian head Buffalo nickles. I can’t see the date on a few of them but would like to know if there’s any value to this colection.
Have a 1935 Indian nickel with the numbers 913 printed on
The belly of the buffalo is this worth anything?
I have a 1936 f buffalo nickel with a Indian head on one side how much is it worth.
I found one but it has no year on it is it worth anything?
Have Buffalo nickel. Can I find the date as it is quite worn off. Not in awful condition. Trying to determine the value
HOW MUCH IS A BUFFALO 1939 WORTH INDIAN HEAD MY NAME I
FOUND IN DESERT ARIZONA 1939 BUFFALO NICKEL 1939 WORN
How much is my 2005 buffalo nickel
I have a 1938D Buffalo nickel.. Great condition.. Worth??
I found 5 1937 in storage locker I bought how much they are worth pluse 3 standing Liberty on back the Egal worth pluse bi have two Indian head pennys with wheat seal on back dated 1907 pluse two 1921 murcker dimes two 1956 silver dimes
Where can I send a picture to find out if it’s worth anything
I have a 2005 Buffalo. With mis prints. On the front of the coin is a face on the edge of the coin on the back is a upside Buffalo. A strange looking coin. I can’t find a 2005 nickel in the book or on Internet. Can you help
Send it to my address if it’s genuine I will return it to you if it is not genuine I will throw it away for you to never hear from me again.. If I find a bag of alot of cash I will send you thirty seven and a half dollars. Gracias and enjoy.
Perfect response. For being “rare” there sure are a lot of people wanting to sell….
I have a 1937 buffalo nickel wit no mark for a state and it has a unique mark by groin area