The 1936-D Buffalo Nickel

The 1936-D Buffalo nickel is a late series coin that many collectors are looking for to finish their collections. There is a variation of the 1936-D Buffalo nickel known as the “3-1/2 Leg” variety. The 1936-D 3-1/2 Legs variety was created by overpolishing of the reverse die, resulting in loss of detail on the front foreleg. It is said that only fifty of these coins exist. 

History of the Denver Mint

The predecessors of the Denver Mint were the men of Clark, Gruber and Company. During the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, they coined gold dust brought from the gold fields by the miners. In 1858, the men founded a brokerage firm and established an assay office in Denver at the beginning of the Colorado Gold Rush. Wanting to save on shipping and insurance costs associated with shipping gold back east, the firm opened a private mint, which later turned into an official branch of the U.S. Mint. 

1936-D Buffalo Nickel Values

An average 1936-D Buffalo nickel is valued at around one dollar. However, stay on the lookout for a higher quality coin. 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 for collectors looking to build onto their Buffalo nickel series, and a mint condition 1936-D Buffalo nickel is valued at forty dollars. The 1936-D 3-1/2 Legs variety is worth up to two thousand dollars.

 

Type of coin: Nickel

Year: 1936

Mint Mark: Denver

Total mintage: 24,814,000

Metal content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Face value: Five Cents

Weight: 5 grams

Edge: Plain

Designer: James Earle Fraser

Diameter: 21.2 millimeters