1919-D Buffalo nickels are moderately scarce, regardless of value. Unlike the San Francisco Mint Buffalo nickels, those from Denver were not routinely hoarded from circulation, as they simply lacked the mystique of the San Francisco minted nickels. This accounts for their greater rarity, despite similar mintages in most years. Fortunately, this makes these coins worth quite a bit more than their non-mint marked Philadelphia alternatives.
History of the U.S. Mint
Currently, there are five operational U.S. Mints, but there have been a total of ten U.S. Mints across the country throughout American History. The Denver mint, where the 1919-D Buffalo nickel was minted, was built in 1863 as a local assay office to determine the purity of different metals mined during the Gold Rush. Eventually demand rose to the level of needing to build an official U.S. Mint branch in Denver.
1919-D Buffalo Nickel Values
An average 1919-D Buffalo nickel is valued at around fifteen dollars. Like many older 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. These coins are highly sought after, and rare - a mint condition 1919-D Buffalo nickel is worth seven-hundred dollars.
Type of coin: Nickel
Year: 1919
Mint Mark: Denver
Total mintage: 8,006,000
Metal content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Face value: Five Cents
Weight: 5 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Earle Fraser
Diameter: 21.2 millimeters