1. Buffalo Nickel Value 1920
2. Buffalo Nickel Values
3. Buffalo Nickel Value 1913 To 1938

1. The Buffalo Nickel design by James Earle Fraser was a highly acclaimed artistic masterpiece when it debuted in 1913. A few months after entering circulation, it was observed the wording FIVE CENTS, located raised on the rocky mound where the buffalo stood on the reverse, was experiencing premature wear.
2. Buffalo nickel values from 1913-1938 are updated daily on Coinflation. Common collectible prices are also included featuring the 1916 and 1936 nickels. Measuring the Metal Value of Coins – Base Metal, Gold, and Silver Coins.

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90

We look at extremely valuable buffalo nickels to look for in your coin collection. These are rare nickels worth a lot of money. Keep coin roll hunting and al. Find the current Buffalo Nickel values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade.

Minted 1913 to 1938; buffalo nickel value is found by determining date mintmark condition. A heavily worn coin with a readable date is worth well above face value. A very popular series with collectors, each coin is evaluated closely to identify its full potential. Follow the step by step process below and find where your coin is listed on the value chart.

Steps Leading to Value:

• Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination - Identify date and locate mintmarks to find listing on the value chart.
• Step 2: Grading Condition - Using Video, Images, and Descriptions judge the condition and determine grade.
• Step 3: Special Qualities - Varieties are important to collectors, compare your coin to images to recognize the important qualities to these old buffalo nickels.

The value table shows the importance of the key elements to identify.

The above are wholesale coin values. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling.

Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs.

Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination is Identified

Three different mints struck Buffalo nickels throughout the span of the series; 1913 to 1938. In most years all three mints produced nickels. The key is to identify both the date and mint of each coin. Mintmarks on the Denver and San Francisco issues identify the mint. Philadelphia did not place a mintmark on their production.

Collectors typically assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year. Availability and scarcity of a year and mintmark combination drives values above minimum base value.

'S' Mintmark on Reverse: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

Low mintage numbers of San Francisco Buffalo nickels place most dates as the scarce issue for the year. A total of 118 million were struck with all years combined, lowest of the mints. Many of the key and high value nickels are the San Francisco coins.

San Francisco mint placed a 'S' mintmark on the reverse just under Five Cents. A date with all numerals clearly showing plus the 'S' mintmark is a premium value nickel.

'D' Mintmark on Reverse: Denver Mint Struck the Coin

The Denver Mint in Colorado also contributed to the numbers of Buffalo nickels minted. Striking just over 225 million coins, Denver issues are another exciting find. Early year examples 1913 to 1926 are all high premium coins.

Denver placed a 'D' mintmark on the reverse to identify its production. A surprising premium coin is the last year of the Buffalo nickel 1938, all were minted at Denver. Last of series plus Denver only adds to this coin's popularity and demand from collectors.

No Mintmark on Reverse: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Leading in numbers of Buffalo nickels struck is the Philadelphia mint. Throughout the years the main mint placed over 900 million nickels into circulation. Most of the old nickels found today are the Philadelphia issue. Many collectors find these coins appealing. Affordable in higher condition, a date run is a popular collection, creating a steady demand for all Buffalo nickels.

Looking on the reverse, just under Five Cents; if without a mintmark, the coin was struck at Philadelphia. The Philadelphia mint did not place mintmarks on Buffalo nickels.

Step 2: Grading Condition of Buffalo Nickels

Coin collecting remains a popular hobby today. A collection of Buffalo nickels presents an engaging pursuit for both young and advanced collectors. Your coins have the potential to add to a collection.

Condition Narrows Value Range

Judging condition directly links to how much your coin is worth. Rare dates and mintmark combinations are a start. Grading narrows into a close value range.

Using a single light source and magnification, first inspect for a clear date. The date area is high in relief on Buffalo nickels and quickly wears. A bold date showing places your coin in the upper grade ranges. Tilting the coin under the light at different angles helps find subtle details. Compare to the grading images, finding the grade closest to the condition of your coin.

Mint State Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A strong demand is found in old nickels meeting the Mint State grade standards. No wear to the surface is the defining factor. A few points on the coin are checked to confirm this top condition.

Just under the Indian's eye his cheek is one of the high points to design. Any wear shows as a color change to the metal and a smoothing of texture. Luster imparted during minting is a fine grain surface easily removed when worn. Judge the surface of the cheek to match surrounding areas.

View the hair along the parting line from his forehead to bow holding the feathers. High and low areas representing lines of hair remain without any smoothing. Expanding upward and below the part line all surfaces are similar in texture.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: High areas of the buffalo's fur are inspected to detect any wear.

Along the upper shoulder where the fur meets the back remains with a luster indicating a mint state coin.

In the hip area, any wear causes a flattening of the profile and smoothness to the metal.

Look close at the lower edge of the ground, just above 'Five Cents'. The ground surface and a defining lower line remains without flattening.

Extremely Fine Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A bold date, fully raised is a defining feature of the Extremely Fine grade.

All digits of the date are clear and well raised. Last digit of date is fully separated from the trailing end of the tie holding the braid of hair.

A small area of flatness is confined to just under the eye. A contour remains with no flat area connecting with the hair left of the eye.

Strands of hair remain bold throughout, blending with the feather is minimal.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Overall most of the fur details remain. Light wear has flattened only the upper areas of fur.

A distinct line remains separating the buffalo's back with the line of fur along the upper leg to the upper back.

Contour remains on the hip with a noticeable raise area defined. Flatness is limited to the forward area of leg.

The majority of the buffalo's horn is visible. On well struck examples the horn is complete with the tip well defined. Helping define the grade is areas of flatness are small and disconnected.

Fine Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Heavy wear has begun to create large areas of flatness to the surface, placing the coin in Fine grade.

First to judge is the date. Although worn to a shallow profile, all digits must show. Each number is complete. The 'one' is often very weak at the bottom, but is separate from the 'nine'.

The long feather at the back of the head is only just beginning to merge with the Indian's hair. A line of separation is evident but faint.

Letters of 'Liberty' are faint. The majority of the tops of the letters are very weak and beginning to touch the rim. A complete separation indicates a strong Fine grade.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Evidence of a horn remaining helps identify the Fine grade. The upper half of the horn is missing, however, a strong base to the horn is visible.

A defining line remains indicating the fur from the back of the buffalo.

Flattened areas of the head, shoulder, stomach, and hip are evident but no areas are connecting. A wide space remains identifying each design feature.

Good Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A date is readable but very faint. Defining the grade is the first digits '19' are readable. The '19' are merging with each other but enough remains to identify. Last two digits of date are better defined. A small raised area of all digits is always visible.

Hair detail is missing throughout the center portion above the braid. Flatness extends upward to the part in the hair.

'Liberty' is readable but fully connected with the rim. Often upper part of letters are very faint to missing.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A once fully profiled buffalo is now flat.

The buffalo's head is missing the majority of his horn; a small base is sometimes seen. All fur detail to the head is one flat area.

A small connection of the buffalo's head to the rim is noted.

Only a slight definition of contour remains separating head, shoulder, stomach, and hip. Wide areas of flatness are now larger than contoured areas. Overall a buffalo nickel in Good grade remains with a bold outline of both the Indian and buffalo.

How to Video: Grading Buffalo Nickels

Today, dealers and collectors are searching to find, and have the funds to buy well preserved coins. Your buffalo nickel value increases dramatically the better condition of your coin. A step by step video highlights the elements to the grades.

Step 3: Special Qualities Enhancing Value

The beginning of the Buffalo nickel series saw the year 1913 struck with two different reverse varieties.

First variety: 1913 Type I portrays the buffalo standing on a mounded surface. Lettering of 'Five Cents' is placed bold in the design across the mound. This raised lettering was determined unsatisfactory, quick to wear and loose the statement of denomination.

Second variety: 1913 to 1938 Type II A modification to the design recessed the lettering of 'Five Cents' within the mound below the buffalo. A distinct change protecting both the denomination and mintmark. This Type II reverse design continued until the end of the series in 1938. Both Type I and Type II nickels were minted at all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco and valued individually.

Designer's Initial

James Earle Fraser designed both the Indian obverse and Buffalo reverse. His initial 'F' is found under the date of all Buffalo nickels.

Below Collector Quality

Discoloration has taken over the 'look' of this nickel. Unfortunately, an abrasive was used to remove some of the color to brighten the surface. The resulting unnatural appearance has lowered value. A collector passes on these damaged coins. Damage to the surface and cleaning has removed collectability.

Detecting a Faded Date Buffalo Nickel

Buffalo nickels are a high relief design. Most elements sit well above the field of the coin, including the date. The shoulder of the Indian is raised and date is on top, placing it as one of the highest areas on the surface. Closest protection to the date is the rim below and knot in hair braid above. Many surviving nickels have partial dates. The '19' of the date often wears away first leaving just faint impressions of the last two digits.

Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light helps identify a faint digit or two. Magnification is almost a must to use. Many times, the decade digit is just visible, a difference in the '1' '2' '3' is recognizable. A faint year digit is usually the difficult one to see. Slowly tilt the angle to the light to bring out subtle detail. If identity of date is uncertain the coin is falling below the Good grade and value.

References

US Mint. 1938 US Mint Annual Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142
US Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591

Coin Values CoinStudy Articles

Buffalo Nickel Value 1920

Date by Date
In Depth Buffalo Nickel Value
1913 to 1938

Buffalo Nickels are very popular. The price of lower grade coins makes it easy for younger collectors to start and enjoy collecting the series.

They are attractive in their design and price, giving them a value boost. Return and keep pace with your rising buffalo nickel value.

A step by step method is used to discover old coin values. Beginning with identifying important dates and mintmarks. Next comparing your coin to images to judge and determine its condition and recognize its 'grade'. Value charts narrow how much coins are worth.

The index page helps identify the Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, Jefferson and Three Cent Nickels. Discover the value of your old nickels by matching your coins to the grading images and value charts.

Visit the in-depth Buffalo nickel grading video, combined with enlarged images and detailed descriptions describing the differences between grades. Dates and mintmarks are only part of old nickel value. Follow the steps to grading Buffalo nickels and it leads to how much your coins are worth… accurately.

Videos, close-up images and descriptions, give insight into the details to accurately grade the condition of your old nickels. Individual series covered: Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson nickels. Judge carefully to find the true potential value.

Do you have other denominations?

A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth.

Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results.

★Coin Values Discovery finds Buffalo Nickel Value and...

All old US coin values. Follow an image index to identify all US coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and a step by step procedure uncovers how much your box of old coins is worth.

Buffalo Nickel

1913 – 1938

The name “Buffalo Nickel” is actually a misnomer, as the animal appearing on the reverse is in fact a bison and not a buffalo. The true name of this very popular coin is the Five Cent Indian Head, however, the name “Buffalo Nickel” seems to have been set as its most widely used and accepted name.

The obverse of the Buffalo Nickel features a portrait of a Native American. The “Indian Head” was actually a composite of three different chiefs; John Big Tree, Iron Tail and Two Moons. The word “LIBERTY” appears next to the rim on the upper right side across from the Native American’s eyes.

Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Five Cents)

The reverse side of the coin features an American Bison, which was confused as a buffalo by the early Americans. The model for the bison is said to have been taken from a well known bison named Black Diamond at the Central Park Zoo. The words “UNITED-STATES-OF-AMERICA” appear in an arc across the top, with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” just below the word “AMERICA” and above the bison. “FIVE CENTS” appears at the bottom.

Soon after the Buffalo Nickel went into production it was discovered that the reverse design had a problem. The words “FIVE CENTS” were inscribed upon a raised mound shape which made it very susceptible to wear. During that first year the design was modified by removing the mound so that the words would be lower. It is interesting to note that there was a similar problem with the date, but that was not modified. As a result it is very common to see circulated Buffalo Nickels without a readable date.

The 1913 Buffalo Nickel with the raised date on the mound is known as “Variety 1”, the remainder of the coins are known as “Variety 2”

There are other varieties and oddities including, but not limited to:

• 1916/1916 Doubled Die
• 1918/1917-D Doubled Die Over-date
• 1935 Doubled Die Reverse
• 1937-D which is known as the “3 Legged” Buffalo Nickel. The missing leg was a result of an already heavily worn die being over polished.

Any Buffalo nickel with a readable date is worth at least thirty-five to forty cents, however, some Buffalo Nickels are worth thousands of dollars.

Buffalo Nickel Specifications

Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.0 g
Composition: 75% Nickel 25% Copper
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Earle Fraser

Written by David Slone, Copyright 2008 CoinCollectorGuide.com

Buffalo Nickel Mintage Numbers

Comments

Buffalo Nickel Values

1. Hello,

   Can you tell me if an Indian Head Nickle without a date has any value?

   Thank You

2. I have an Indian head Nickel and it has no date but i can see were the words Liberty used To be. the coin looks very old. One one side there is the Bison with the words pluribus unum and on the other side is the Indian head but that side of the coin is upside down.

   Is it worth anything?

   Michael Houghton
   England

3. i hv a 1913 nickel wt a lady on it and 1901 indian head on it and a dime 1916 r they any value

4. If it is a U.S. nickel, that was minted in 1913, it would have to be a buffalo nickel. The U.S. mint did issue a nickel (known as the ‘Liberty Head’ or ‘V’ nickel)in 1913 which is very rare. It has a lady on it. There are only five known. One sold at auction for almost $4 million on Jan. 10, 2010. Most likely what you have is a buffalo nickel., which has a buffalo (or Bison) on the reverse. If your coin has a ‘V’ on the reverse, then you are a very very lucky person. Even if it is just a buffalo nickel, if the date is readable it is worth at least $8 – $10. If it has a mint mark, which would be the inscription ‘five cents’ it is worth much more! If it has a ‘D’ (minted in Denver) it is worth about $15 or more considering the condition. That is if it of the ‘variety 1’ type, which has no line above ‘FIVE CENTS’ on the reverse. If it is a variety 2. (with a line above ‘FIVE CENTS’) it is worth $100 or more. The buffalo nickel issue was also minted in San Fransisco. Variety 1 can go for $45 or more. Variety 2. can go for $300 or more. Again, the mintmark ‘s’ would be located underneath ‘FIVE CENTS’ on the reverse side of the coin. I hope this helps.

5. i have a 1901 5 cents coin, with a v on one side, and a lady’s head on the other, is this coin worth anything ? would appreciate any news about this coin.. thanks

   • What you have is a called a “V” Nickel or Liberty Nickel. You can read about it at http://www.coincollectorguide.com/liberty-nickel/

6. I have a buffalo collection going. I worry about restored dates. I can tell, most of the time by the line above the date. And just the condition of the reverse in relation to the obverse gives me clues. If the reverse is in bad shape, and the obverse has a ‘strong’ looking date, I am suspicious. Some of the worst ones, to me are valuable even if the date is barely readable. Any restoration/acid dates are not cool. To some people maybe not though. Am I wrong? Buffalo nickels seem to be especially subject to restoration.

7. See, Buffaloes are going to skyrocket on the collecting market. Watch it happen. Mark my words. People are selling a LOT of restored dates (more than any other type). And people are selling ones that they say are a certain date, but aren’t upon close inspection. In many cases, you can’t tell if it is a ‘2’ or a ‘3’ in the date. And time goes by. My suggestion is to collect Buffaloes, now – while they are still somewhat readable.

8. My sister has a 1901 Indian Head nickel with a buffalo on the the back. It has a “V” on the nickel the date is clear. What is the value of this coin. Please respond.

   Thank you

   Marilee Jackson

   • I dont know for sure what that is but the “buffalo” nickel wasnt minted until 1913 and the nickel with the “V” is called a Liberty Nickel ( http://www.coincollectorguide.com/liberty-nickel/ ) but it doesn’t have an ‘Indian’ on it.

9. I have a 1935 Indian head nickel with the bison upside down on the back along with the line above the five scents and a D under the five cents mark. Is that worth anything? I’m not trying to give it up as it was given to me by a family member as a good luck coin and I had just found it again recently and was curious about it.

   • Hey Mandy, I have a 1935 coin just like you except mine doesn’t have any letter under the five cents. Did you ever find out if yours was worth anything? I’m just curious myself.

10. I have a 1936 Indian head buckle the date is clear but the buffalo on the other side is upside down why is that? And is there any value in it? Thank you.

11. Hello, I have acquired a 1930 Buffalo Nickel with letter “V” missing where it was stamped “five cents”. It does not look to be worn or rubbed off but a press error. Is this rare? Would it change it’s value?

    Thank you

    • its 1913 buffalo nickel reversed

      • the 1913 buffalo nickel is upside down when turned to the indian side

        • Hey I have 3 of the Buffalo Indiana Head nickels with 1927 1934 and 1937 just wanted to know the value of each.

12. the buffalo is upside down when turned over how much is it worth

    • I’m wondering the same thing. I have a 1929 nickel that is inverted

13. I have a two sided Indian head nickel but with a bison on both sides no indian head? No date?
    Can you help me out
    Thanks
    Anne-Marie

14. Has anyone heard of a buffalo nickel with Bison on both sides? No date
    Thank you

15. I have a 1936 e Buffalo nickel, not the best of conditions,
    Any info or want it”s worth

16. I have a 1929 indian head that has an error ,it the bison is upside down when fliped over and it has a small triangle imprint on both sides at the top of indian head and very bottom of coin right at the grass line. Does this have a value?

17. I have a 1934 Indian head nickel with no letter? Do you know why it wouldn’t have a letter?

18. Is there any value to a 1937 Buffalo Indian head nickel and its in good mint condition.is there any coin collector interested in my nickel.

19. I have an Indian nickel with the five cents under the line and no lettering under the five cents. There is no date on it and under the United States of America it has E Pluribus Unum. The bison is also upside down from the Indian head. Any idea what year this is and how much it’s worth?

    • Hi, I have a nickel with the same markings. So far my research has been limited on it. Did you ever get an answer on yours? Thanks

20. i have a 1935 E plurbus unum coin is it worth anything?

21. 1934 Indian nickel with Pluribus misspelled plus us, is there any value associated with this coin, also seems very close to mint condition

22. Damn technology, pluribus is misspelled plurbus on the 1934 Indian nickel

23. I have a coin with no date or letter under he “Five Cents” but it does have the line above it, so I believe it’s a type 2. On the side with the buffalo the words “E Pluribus Unum” are there. I was wondering if the 1913 coins were the only ones with a type 1 or 2. Also is there any way to tell the age of th coin?

24. Ok my buffalo nickel has a man, who is not an Indian on the back, he wears a hat, has a big beard, even looks a little like a black man, I can find no image of this coin online, the date says 1913 or 1915
    It’s hard to read the last #

25. I have a 2005 copper nickel, with president jefferson on the front side and the buffalo “upside down” on the back side with ( what i believe spells out) E PLURISUS UNUM , stating five cents, under the buffalo. is my coin rare,unique, valuable beyond its normal worth…….

26. I have a 1934 Indian head nickel and when I flip it over the Bison is upside down. Is this common?

27. Can anyone tell me something about the 1921 buffalo nickel I found where there is a V on the buffalo I can’t find anything about it anywhere please somebody help me figure this out the local shop was amazed and said they have never heard or seen anything like it

28. I have a buffalo nickel type 2, no mint marks, last 2 digits of the date looks like a 2 and a 3. But hard to tell. It’s old, but in oretty good shape. Any use in holding onto it? Or no value?

29. What is a buffalo nickle with close am and it’s a 1936 d nickle the date is seen on the coin and how much is it worth with a close am if there’s a such thing

30. Hello, I have a 1936 Indian head-bison or buffalo nickel, the bison-buffalo is upside down. Can you give me an idea of it’s worth. Lettering is good.

31. I have a Buffalo Indian nickel with the five cents line above it. E plumbuaurs or whatever it says and I would like to know its value. There is no mint mark either. Can you help. I also noticed the front leg on the right side has a partial, it’s either a 3 leg or five.

Buffalo Nickel Value 1913 To 1938