The Buffalo Nickel — officially the Indian Head Nickel — is one of the most artistically acclaimed coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser and struck from 1913 to 1938, it features a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. For collectors, it's a series filled with key dates, rare varieties, and fascinating history. For casual owners, it's a coin that almost always exceeds five cents in value.
Whether you found one in a drawer or inherited a collection, this guide will help you understand exactly what your Buffalo Nickels are worth.
| Date | Good (G-4) | Fine (F-12) | VF-20 | MS-63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 Type 1 (P) | $12 | $20 | $28 | $120 |
| 1913-D Type 1 | $18 | $30 | $45 | $200 |
| 1913-S Type 1 | $45 | $80 | $120 | $600 |
| 1913 Type 2 (P) | $10 | $18 | $25 | $100 |
| 1913-D Type 2 | $180 | $350 | $500 | $3,500 |
| 1913-S Type 2 | $350 | $600 | $900 | $7,500+ |
| 1914 (P) | $12 | $22 | $32 | $175 |
| 1914-D | $25 | $48 | $75 | $450 |
| 1916 Doubled Die | $500+ | $1,200+ | $2,000+ | N/A |
| 1918/17-D Overdate | $400 | $800 | $1,400 | N/A |
| 1921-S | $110 | $250 | $400 | $3,000+ |
| 1924-S | $40 | $90 | $175 | $2,500+ |
| 1926-S | $120 | $280 | $500 | $8,000+ |
| 1937-D 3-Legged | $600 | $900 | $1,400 | $4,500+ |
| Common dates (1936–1938) | $1–$2 | $3–$5 | $6–$10 | $35–$80 |
Values are approximate and reflect 2025 market conditions. Dateless Buffalo Nickels (where the date has worn off) are generally worth $0.50–$1 as novelty items or for restamping.
🔍 Browse Buffalo Nickels on eBayThe most famous Buffalo Nickel variety, the 1937-D Three-Legged, resulted from a mint worker over-polishing the reverse die, which removed the bison's front right leg entirely. The buffalo appears to be standing on three legs. This variety is genuine and commands strong premiums — even worn examples sell for $600–$900, and nice Fine-grade coins bring $1,000+. Watch for fakes: some unscrupulous sellers remove the leg from a normal 1937-D.
The rarest regular-issue Buffalo Nickel. The reverse design was changed mid-1913 from a raised ground (Type 1) to a flat plain (Type 2), and San Francisco struck only 1,209,000 of the Type 2 variety. In Good condition, expect $350+. In MS-63, these can exceed $7,500.
One of the most dramatic doubled die varieties in the Buffalo Nickel series. The date shows clear doubling visible to the naked eye. In heavily worn condition, pieces sell for $500+, and nice VF examples have brought $2,000–$3,000 at auction.
This overdate — where the last digit of the date shows remnants of the previous year's 7 beneath the 8 — is visible under magnification. Heavily circulated examples sell for $400+, making it one of the most valuable overdates in the entire US nickel series.
In 1913, the Buffalo Nickel reverse design was modified during the year, creating two distinct types:
Type 1 (Raised Ground): The bison stands on a raised mound with "FIVE CENTS" inscribed on the side of the mound. This design wore quickly in circulation — the denomination rubbed away — which prompted the change.
Type 2 (Flat Ground): The mound was flattened and "FIVE CENTS" moved to below the ground line, where it was less susceptible to wear. All Buffalo Nickels from 1914 onward are Type 2.
Both types were struck at Philadelphia, Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) in 1913. The 1913-D Type 2 and 1913-S Type 2 are among the most valuable coins in the series.
The date on a Buffalo Nickel is notorious for wearing off. It sits on the highest point of the obverse field and is often the first detail to disappear. Buffalo Nickels without legible dates are called "dateless" or "No Date" pieces and are worth very little — typically $0.25–$1.
To read a worn date, try holding the coin at a low angle under strong raking light. Sometimes digits are visible as shadows even when they appear gone. Never chemically restore a date — this permanently damages the coin and is detectable by collectors and dealers.
The mint mark on a Buffalo Nickel is found on the reverse, directly below the words "FIVE CENTS." The letters D (Denver) or S (San Francisco) appear here; Philadelphia coins have no mint mark. This placement makes the mint mark susceptible to wear — check carefully on circulated examples.
An uncirculated Buffalo Nickel retains original mint luster — the grainy, satiny sheen imparted during striking. In MS-60 to MS-62 grades, significant bag marks or contact marks are present but no wear exists. MS-63 is a typical uncirculated coin with moderate marks. MS-65 gems are sharply struck with minimal marks and strong luster.
The Buffalo Nickel series is highly collectible and relatively accessible for most budgets. A complete set of business strikes runs 64 coins (including all dates and mint marks from 1913–1938). A circulated set in Good-to-Fine condition can be assembled for $300–$800 for common dates, with the key dates (1913-S T2, 1921-S, 1926-S, 1937-D 3-Legged) representing the bulk of the investment.
Many collectors opt for "type" collecting — owning just one nice example of the design — making a gem MS-65 Buffalo Nickel an affordable and beautiful addition to any collection for $60–$150.
🛒 Shop Key Date Buffalo Nickels on eBayAny Buffalo Nickel with a readable date is worth more than face value. Common dates from the 1930s in circulated grades fetch $1–$3. Earlier dates and scarcer mint marks start at $10–$50 in worn condition. Key dates like the 1913-S Type 2, 1921-S, 1926-S, and the famous 1937-D Three-Legged variety can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars. Check your date, mint mark, and look carefully for the three-legged variety on any 1937-D you own.