The 1916-D Buffalo nickel features the unique design of the Buffalo, or American Bison, on the reverse, along with “United States of America” emblazoned above the mighty animal’s figure. Under the country mark, “E Pluribus Unum” is featured to the coin’s right. Underneath the Buffalo, the denomination mark, Five Cent, is displayed under the ground on which the Buffalo stands. Under that is a small D, which is the mark of the Denver Mint. Many people lauded this coin for its strong Americana themes.
History of the Denver Mint
The Denver Mint began in 1863 as the local assay office, just five years after gold was discovered in the area. An assay office tests the purity of a variety of precious metals, and was crucial to the area’s development. Minting did not begin at the Denver Mint until 1906, when the Treasury Department determined that the demand for coins was too large to ignore the facility. As one of the earliest coins minted at the Denver mint, the 1916-D Buffalo nickel is an interesting piece of minting history.
1916-D Buffalo Nickel Values
1916-D Buffalo nickels are an exciting and rare find for any coin collector. This coin has great value due to the lower minting numbers. Like all century old coins, the value is tied to the condition of the coin. Collectors should look for clear edges on the design, and a clear engraving of the date, mint mark, and cent-value. The base value of this coin is almost twenty dollars - with uncirculated 1916-D Buffalo nickels going valued at almost two-hundred dollars.
Type of coin: Nickel
Year: 1916
Mint Mark: Denver
Total mintage: 13,333,000
Metal content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Face value: Five Cents
Weight: 5 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Earle Fraser
Diameter: 21.2 millimeters