Coin Value Guide | How to Value a Coin Collection. Strands of hair remain bold throughout, blending with the feather is minimal. Small differences on a Buffalo (or Indian Head) nickel can make a big difference in the value. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Return and keep pace with your rising buffalo nickel value. In the hip area, any wear causes a flattening of the profile and smoothness to the metal. Coins for sale for Buffalo type Nickels items. Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. All Rare Buffalo Nickel: Condition:--not specified. This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties. In 1937, a production worker at the Denver mint facility tried to repair a damaged reverse die only to make things worse. Look for doubling in the last three digits of the date. For some, the challenge of assembling a complete set of Buffalo Nickels provides an unparalleled exhilaration. With a mintage of 1,437,000 coins, many of them have survived and are available to collectors today. James Earle Fraser designed both the Indian obverse and Buffalo reverse. By Heather Bernhard. In uncirculated grades, the price can exceed $100,000. 1913-S Type 2 2. The price of lower grade coins makes it easy for younger collectors to start and enjoy collecting the series. Second variety: 1913 to 1938 Type II A modification to the design recessed the lettering of "Five Cents" within the mound below the buffalo. Ended: Nov 11, 2020. Rare Buffalo Nickels The 1913-S Type I Buffalo nickel is a scarce issue which retails for around $50 in Good condition. Additionally, this rare coin can sell for thousands of dollars even in a well-worn condition such as G-4. A small area of flatness is confined to just under the eye. Details about Rare Buffalo Nickel See original listing. Follow the steps to grading Buffalo nickels and it leads to how much your coins are worth… accurately. Starting bid: US $125.00 [ 0 bids] Shipping: Calculate Varies based on location and shipping method. Buffalo nickels were made from 1913 to 1938. Wikimedia . A distinct change protecting both the denomination and mintmark. Contour remains on the hip with a noticeable raise area defined. Once again the Philadelphia mint produced a majority of the coins with a mintage that exceeded 21 million coins while Denver only produced slightly more than 5 million coins. As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between 1907 and 1909. The Philadelphia mint did not place mintmarks on Buffalo nickels. The date area is high in relief on Buffalo nickels and quickly wears. The raised letters specifying the denomination of "FIVE CENTS" wore away prematurely. Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A date is readable but very faint. Each number is complete. A bold date showing places your coin in the upper grade ranges. C $20.41; 0 bids. This variety is recognized by strong doubling on the inscriptions FIVE CENTS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. A few buffalo nickels are somewhat rare but many others are fairly common and sell for a couple of dollars in moderately worn condition. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. In 1926, production at the San Francisco mint facility trailed far behind both the Philadelphia and Denver production numbers. 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. A step by step method is used to discover old coin values. Therefore make sure this coin is also certified and graded by a numismatic expert from a third-party grading company. Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination - Identify date and locate mintmarks to find listing on the value chart. Three different mints struck Buffalo nickels throughout the span of the series; 1913 to 1938. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591, Date by DateIn Depth Buffalo Nickel Value1913 to 1938. Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: High areas of the buffalo's fur are inspected to detect any wear. Many factors go into determining the value of a coin, and the value of Buffalo nickels are no exception. Grading Buffalo Nickels - How to Video and Descriptions. It is very valuable in circulated grades and very rare in uncirculated grades. The index page helps identify the Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, Jefferson and Three Cent Nickels. Undated Buffalo nickels are worth about ten cents each, but only because people use them for jewelry, shirt buttons, and a variety of other uses. Skip to main content. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling. Many surviving nickels have partial dates. 1924-S 6. Visit the in-depth Buffalo nickel grading video, combined with enlarged images and detailed descriptions describing the differences between grades. 1925-S BUFFALO NICKEL - PCGS CERTIFIED - AU55 - RARE DATE! Lettering of "Five Cents" is placed bold in the design across the mound. These are Indian head nickels to look for in your coin collection. Expert numismatists can tell if a coin has been altered. By using The Spruce Crafts, you accept our, Buffalo (Indian Head) Nickel Values and Prices, How to Find the Value of a Buffalo Nickel With No Date, Washington Quarter Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties, Lincoln Wheat Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties, Indian Head Penny: Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties, Liberty Head "V" Nickel Values and Prices, Eisenhower Dollar: Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties, Early Jefferson Nickel Values 1938 - 1964, Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. As he used a tool to remove the indentation on the die, he removed so much metal that the detail from the buffalo's front leg was lost. Discover the value of your old nickels by matching your coins to the grading images and value charts. Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 1/4/2021: Gold $1929 | Silver $27.29. The buffalo's head is missing the majority of his horn; a small base is sometimes seen. James Earle Fraser was a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the famed designer of the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Study the descriptions and photographs of each coin and you will be able to identify these coins that you may have in your collection. A very popular series with collectors, each coin is evaluated closely to identify its full potential. service@apmex.com. Rare dates and mintmark combinations are a start. Tilting the coin under the light at different angles helps find subtle details. Many collectors find these coins appealing. The shoulder of the Indian is raised and date is on top, placing it as one of the highest areas on the surface. Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light helps identify a faint digit or two. While, generally speaking, Buffalo nickels tend to be rarer and more valuable the older they are, age is not the singular defining factor of the Buffalo Nickel’s value. Judge the surface of the cheek to match surrounding areas. Philadelphia did not place a mintmark on their production. A heavily worn coin with a readable date is worth well above face value. Coin roll hunting for rare coins and error coins continues to be a growing hobby. Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A strong demand is found in old nickels meeting the Mint State grade standards. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 25,000 nickels in circulation may be a buffalo nickel; and most of these will likely have the date completely worn off. Early year examples 1913 to 1926 are all high premium coins. Along the upper shoulder where the fur meets the back remains with a luster indicating a mint state coin. It is very valuable in circulated grades and very rare in uncirculated grades. Therefore, the highest points of the coin are usually flat and lacking detail due to an incomplete strike. A small raised area of all digits is always visible. How much Buffalo Nickels are worth. Look close at the lower edge of the ground, just above "Five Cents". If identity of date is uncertain the coin is falling below the Good grade and value. These rare coins today are highly sought after by collectors in part of its design, but also because of the legacy of the coin's designer. A faint year digit is usually the difficult one to see. The United States Mint only produced Buffalo nickels at the Philadelphia and San Francisco mint facilities in 1921. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth. Your coins have the potential to add to a collection. Buffalo Nickels vs. Indian Head Nickels . In 1913 the U.S. Mint retired the Liberty Head nickel (or "V" nickel) design and started making the Buffalo nickel. Last two digits of date are better defined. The 1924-S Buffalo nickel is by no means a rare coin in circulated condition. A majority of them circulated before collectors could save them for their coin collections. 1914/3 Buffalo nickel ($250) — Buffalo nickel overdates are scarce, and the inclusion of yet another on this list of most valuable nickels proves it. Buffalo nickels are a high relief design. C $442.55; Buy It Now +C $26.58 shipping; From United States ; Customs services and international tracking provided. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results. 1936-D 3-1/2 Legs Buffalo Nickel Value The 1936 3-1/2 legs Buffalo nickel is worth a lot of money because it’s in high demand among coin collectors. Most buffalo nickels have been removed from circulation (by collectors, etc), and therefore it is very rare indeed to find a buffalo nickel in circulation. Clay Models Buffalo Nickels These are clay models of the Buffalo Nickel sculpted by James Earle Fraser. This coin's high level of preservation and dramatic eye appeal make it an extremely valuable coin. The coin’s obverse is dominated by the right-facing profile image of a Native American Indian. ★ Individual series covered: Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson nickels. The Denver Mint in Colorado also contributed to the numbers of Buffalo nickels minted. The ground surface and a defining lower line remains without flattening. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. US Mint. Introduced in 1913; the beginning year saw modifications to the design during the year. Low mintage numbers of San Francisco Buffalo nickels place most dates as the scarce issue for the year. Although worn to a shallow profile, all digits must show. 1916/16 (doubled die variety) 3. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142 This doubling is very strong and is cataloged as variety FS-05-1935-801. Buffalo Nickels are very popular. Additionally, this rare coin can sell for thousands of dollars even in a well-worn condition such as G-4. This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties. This raised lettering was determined unsatisfactory, quick to wear and loose the statement of denomination. Do not mistake this coin for the weaker doubling as found on variety FS-05-1935-803. It is also commonly known as the Indian Head nickel. When the design first came out, the buffalo on the reverse was standing on a mound of dirt. This 7-to-1 ratio makes the San Francisco coin the rare of the two issues. First to judge is the date. Today, the Buffalo Nickel is extremely popular among collectors. You will notice that the duplicate digits are a little to the right and lower than the more pronounced date of 1916. We look at rare nickels worth money to look for in circulation. Many times, the decade digit is just visible, a difference in the "1" | "2" | "3" is recognizable. A wide space remains identifying each design feature. Those from the first few years of minting that are carefully preserved are highly sought after. The majority of the tops of the letters are very weak and beginning to touch the rim. Any wear shows as a color change to the metal and a smoothing of texture. Next comparing your coin to images to judge and determine its condition and recognize its "grade". All other types of nickels without dates are only worth face value. Uncirculated coins are even rarer and will cost $1,000 and up. Compare to the grading images, finding the grade closest to the condition of your coin. Numismatic experts believe that the mint produced over 100,000 of these coins. A line of separation is evident but faint. The reason that some Buffalo nickels have no dates is simply because the dates have been worn off after many years in circulation. Online shopping from a great selection at Toys & Games Store. Collectors typically assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year. Check out our rare buffalo nickel selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Many of the key and high value nickels are the San Francisco coins. Unfortunately, an abrasive was used to remove some of the color to brighten the surface. Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A once fully profiled buffalo is now flat. 1921-S 5. The Buffalo Nickel was officially introduced into circulation on March 4, 1913, and within a week Chief Engraver Charles Barber was expressing concern about how quickly the dies were wearing out during production. All fur detail to the head is one flat area. US Mint. 1918-D 8 over 7 (doubled die variety) 4. This is the 1936 buffalo nickel value. Letters of "Liberty" are faint. RARE 1913-S Buffalo Nickel 5c MOUND TYPE 2,105,000 MINTED. Coin Values Discovery finds Buffalo Nickel Value and... All old US coin values. Magnification is almost a must to use. Although this variety is not as pronounced as the 1916 variety, it is still very obvious on the last digit of the date. The intriguing history of the rare buffalo nickel. Though the Buffalo Nickel faced a few more problems with its production, the coins continued in circulation for some time to come. The upper half of the horn is missing, however, a strong base to the horn is visible. Minted 1913 to 1938; buffalo nickel value is a minimum of 40 to 50 cents each. Coins Found in Pocket Change. The San Francisco mint made slightly less than 1.5 million coins. "Liberty" is readable but fully connected with the rim. Flatness is limited to the forward area of leg. Lookup Coin values for Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Brilliant Uncirculated & Proof conditions and MS grade. This video is sponsored by Noble Gold Investments. A small connection of the buffalo's head to the rim is noted. This is another example of an extremely rare mint error. The United States Mint in Philadelphia produced this die variety when a mistake was made during the manufacturing process of the coin die. A collector passes on these damaged coins. Helping define the grade is areas of flatness are small and disconnected. Value charts narrow how much coins are worth. Judge carefully to find the true potential value. 1. Therefore, before you start celebrating your early retirement with your new found fortune, have the coin authenticated by a reputable coin dealer or third party grading service. Overall a buffalo nickel in Good grade remains with a bold outline of both the Indian and buffalo. Your buffalo nickel value increases dramatically the better condition of your coin. As such, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common Buffalo nickels. Of these the 1913-S on the "recessed mound" (known as T2) design became the rare variety. Old Coin Values Using a Step by Step Method. Slowly tilt the angle to the light to bring out subtle detail. Shop with confidence. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. In 1916 a production mistake at the mint yielded a dramatic doubled die on the obverse of the coin. A collection of Buffalo nickels presents an engaging pursuit for both young and advanced collectors. San Francisco mint placed a "S" mintmark on the reverse just under Five Cents. A surprising premium coin is the last year of the Buffalo nickel 1938, all were minted at Denver. Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs. Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938) Featuring America's Only Obverse & Reverse Coin Design Inspired by the Western Frontier Issued from 1913 to 1938, the unique Buffalo nickel was an instant hit with consumers and collectors – and remains so to this day. Slightly more affordable than the 1921-S issue is the 1924 San Francisco minted Buffalo nickel. No wear to the surface is the defining factor. Buffalo Nickel Design. Copyright © 2007-2021 Daniel A. HarrisAll Rights Reserved, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591. A defining line remains indicating the fur from the back of the buffalo. James Bucki has over 40 years of coin collecting experience, receiving specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collecting techniques. Just under the Indian's eye his cheek is one of the high points to design. A total of 118 million were struck with all years combined, lowest of the mints. Follow an image index to identify all US coin series, from Cents to Gold. The bison model, named "Black Diamond", lived in the New York Bronx Zoo, and steadfastly refused to cooperate with Fraser. According to his estimates, Buffalo Nickel dies were wearing out and breaking more than three times faster than the Liberty Head Nickel dies. A date with all numerals clearly showing plus the "S" mintmark is a premium value nickel. Luster imparted during minting is a fine grain surface easily removed when worn. Therefore, the uncirculated specimens are extremely rare. This low mintage number at San Francisco yields a high value for this scarce coin. Selling Coins | How to Get the Best Value. Most elements sit well above the field of the coin, including the date. Most of the old nickels found today are the Philadelphia issue. Last digit of date is fully separated from the trailing end of the tie holding the braid of hair. Discoloration has taken over the "look" of this nickel. The resulting unnatural appearance has lowered value. Damage to the surface and cleaning has removed collectability. Once again the Philadelphia mint produced a majority of the coins that year with a mintage of almost 45 million coins and Denver producing almost 6 million coins. Defining the grade is the first digits "19" are readable. His initial "F" is found under the date of all Buffalo nickels. Wide areas of flatness are now larger than contoured areas. First variety: 1913 Type I portrays the buffalo standing on a mounded surface. In an extremely well-worn condition, the value of this coin is approaching $1,000. Rare High-Grade 1913-S … A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. Looking on the reverse, just under Five Cents; if without a mintmark, the coin was struck at Philadelphia. Closest protection to the date is the rim below and knot in hair braid above. Therefore, make sure you acquire a certified specimen or purchase one from a reputable coin dealer. San Francisco lagged significantly behind with only 970,000 coins. 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