The Buffalo Nickel
The Buffalo nickel, also known as the Indian Head nickel, is a five-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the coin features a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. The Buffalo nickel is cherished by collectors for its iconic design and historical significance. Some rare dates and mint marks, particularly those in excellent condition, can be highly valuable, with certain examples fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Continue reading to learn more about buffalo nickel value.
Buffalo Nickel Value
The value of a Buffalo nickel varies widely based on its condition, date, and mint mark. Buffalo nickels, minted from 1913 to 1938, can be worth anywhere from a few cents to several thousand dollars. Key dates like the 1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D, and 1937-D "Three-Legged" variety are particularly valuable. Coins in pristine, uncirculated condition or with rare mint errors can command the highest prices among collectors.
Buffalo Nickel History
The Buffalo nickel design came about because President Theodore Roosevelt had the intent to rebirth U.S. coinage. President Roosevelt's goal was to implement more artistic values in our coins. Since the US 5 cent was a coin with such a prestigious status, it deserved a design worthy of its status. In turn, the Buffalo nickel was created.
The obverse of the Buffalo Nickel featured a side profile of a Native American Indian with such intense detailing you can make out the structure of this individual's face! It is said the Buffalo Nickel's obverse design was made using multiple Native American facial features from several different tribes. Due to the “heads” side of the Buffalo Nickel, it has been referred to by another name as well, the Indian Head Nickel. On the reverse of the coin lies a majestic American bison or buffalo, hence the name Buffalo Nickel. The designer of the Buffalo nickel was James Earle Fraser, an apprentice to Augustus Saint Guadens, designer of the famous and what is considered the most beautiful gold coin of all time, the $20 Saint Gaudens.
The Buffalo nickel was first released to the public on February 22,1913 and minted from 1913 to 1938. The Buffalo Nickel's elegant design lasted for 25 years until it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel. The Buffalo Nickel was minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. This coin is still popular to collectors today, with many collectors trying to claim the full set.
Collectors often try to put together complete sets of the Buffalo Nickel or just buy them in rolls of 40 coins. These sets are often relatively inexpensive in circulated condition, however there are some key dates that are more expensive and harder to find. Some key date examples are the following:
-1913 S Type II Buffalo Nickel
-1915 S Buffalo Nickel
-1918/7 D Buffalo Nickel
Buffalo Nickel Mintages and Values
| Date | Mintage | Good | Very Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) | 30,992,000 | $12.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $45.00 | |
| 1913-D Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) | 5,337,000 | $15.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1913-S Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) | 2,105,000 | $45.00 | $70.00 | $85.00 | $130.00 | |
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety II) | 29,857,186 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1913-D Buffalo Nickel (Variety II) | 4,156,000 | $120.00 | $200.00 | $235.00 | $300.00 | |
| 1913-S Buffalo Nickel (Variety II) | 1,209,000 | $250.00 | $275.00 | $550.00 | $900.00 | |
| 1914 Buffalo Nickel | 20,664,463 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1914-D Buffalo Nickel | 3,912,000 | $90.00 | $220.00 | $325.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1914-S Buffalo Nickel | 3,470,000 | $26.00 | $65.00 | $90.00 | $200.00 | |
| 1915 Buffalo Nickel | 20,986,220 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1915-D Buffalo Nickel | 7,569,000 | $20.00 | $70.00 | $130.00 | $270.00 | |
| 1915-S Buffalo Nickel | 1,505,000 | $45.00 | $200.00 | $400.00 | $650.00 | |
| 1916 Buffalo Nickel | 63,497,466 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $50.00 | |
| 1916-D Buffalo Nickel | 13,333,000 | $16.00 | $45.00 | $90.00 | $175.00 | |
| 1916-S Buffalo Nickel | 11,860,000 | $10.00 | $40.00 | $90.00 | $190.00 | |
| 1917 Buffalo Nickel | 51,424,019 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $15.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1917-D Buffalo Nickel | 9,910,000 | $18.00 | $85.00 | $150.00 | $375.00 | |
| 1917-S Buffalo Nickel | 4,193,000 | $22.00 | $115.00 | $200.00 | $650.00 | |
| 1918 Buffalo Nickel | 32,086,314 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $35.00 | $125.00 | |
| 1918-D Buffalo Nickel | 8,362,000 | $22.00 | $135.00 | $225.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1918-S Buffalo Nickel | 4,882,000 | $14.00 | $110.00 | $200.00 | $585.00 | |
| 1919 Buffalo Nickel | 60,868,000 | $2.25 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $55.00 | |
| 1919-D Buffalo Nickel | 8,006,000 | $15.00 | $135.00 | $250.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1919-S Buffalo Nickel | 7,521,000 | $9.00 | $125.00 | $250.00 | $675.00 | |
| 1920 Buffalo Nickel | 63,093,000 | $1.50 | $7.00 | $15.00 | $65.00 | |
| 1920-D Buffalo Nickel | 9,418,000 | $8.00 | $115.00 | $175.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1920-S Buffalo Nickel | 9,689,000 | $4.50 | $100.00 | $200.00 | $650.00 | |
| 1921 Buffalo Nickel | 10,663,000 | $4.00 | $24.00 | $50.00 | $150.00 | |
| 1921-S Buffalo Nickel | 1,557,000 | $60.00 | $375.00 | $950.00 | $1,750.00 | |
| 1923 Buffalo Nickel | 35,715,000 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $65.00 | |
| 1923-S Buffalo Nickel | 6,142,000 | $8.00 | $135.00 | $250.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1924 Buffalo Nickel | 21,620,000 | $1.50 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1924-D Buffalo Nickel | 5,258,000 | $8.50 | $85.00 | $235.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1925 Buffalo Nickel | 35,565,100 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
| 1925-D Buffalo Nickel | 4,450,000 | $10.00 | $95.00 | $165.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1925-S Buffalo Nickel | 6,256,000 | $5.00 | $90.00 | $180.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1926 Buffalo Nickel | 44,693,000 | $1.25 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1926-D Buffalo Nickel | 5,638,000 | $10.00 | $110.00 | $185.00 | $350.00 | |
| 1926-S Buffalo Nickel | 970,000 | $25.00 | $275.00 | $900.00 | $4,500.00 | |
| 1927 Buffalo Nickel | 7,981,000 | $1.25 | $5.00 | $15.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1927-D Buffalo Nickel | 5,730,000 | $2.50 | $35.00 | $80.00 | $165.00 | |
| 1927-S Buffalo Nickel | 3,430,000 | $1.50 | $35.00 | $95.00 | $850.00 | |
| 1928 Buffalo Nickel | 23,411,000 | $1.25 | $5.00 | $15.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1928-D Buffalo Nickel | 6,436,000 | $1.50 | $15.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1928-S Buffalo Nickel | 6,936,000 | $1.75 | $11.00 | $26.00 | $260.00 | |
| 1929 Buffalo Nickel | 36,446,000 | $1.25 | $5.00 | $15.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1929-D Buffalo Nickel | 8,370,000 | $1.25 | $7.00 | $32.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1929-S Buffalo Nickel | 7,754,000 | $1.25 | $4.00 | $12.00 | $55.00 | |
| 1930 Buffalo Nickel | 22,849,000 | $1.25 | $4.00 | $11.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1930-S Buffalo Nickel | 5,435,000 | $1.25 | $4.00 | $15.00 | $65.00 | |
| 1931-S Buffalo Nickel | 1,200,000 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 | $65.00 | |
| 1934 Buffalo Nickel | 202,113,003 | $1.25 | $4.00 | $10.00 | $50.00 | |
| 1934-D Buffalo Nickel | 7,180,000 | $1.50 | $9.00 | $20.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1935 Buffalo Nickel | 58,264,000 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $22.00 | |
| 1935-D Buffalo Nickel | 12,092,000 | $1.00 | $6.00 | $18.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1935-S Buffalo Nickel | 10,300,000 | $1.00 | $2.50 | $4.00 | $55.00 | |
| 1936 Buffalo Nickel | 118,997,000 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $25.00 | |
| 1936-D Buffalo Nickel | 24,814,000 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1936-S Buffalo Nickel | 14,930,000 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $38.00 | |
| 1937 Buffalo Nickel | 79,480,000 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $25.00 | |
| 1937-D Buffalo Nickel | 17,826,000 | $1.00 | $3.00 | $4.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1937-S Buffalo Nickel | 5,635,000 | $1.00 | $3.00 | $6.00 | $32.00 | |
| 1938-D Buffalo Nickel | 7,020,000 | $3.50 | $4.75 | $5.00 | $22.00 | |
*Source 2020 Red Book