Buffalo Nickel Values
How Much Buffalo Nickels are Worth: Buffalo Nickel Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | (None) Phil | Type 1 | -- | $15 | $17 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $52 | $110 | $170 | $200 | $327 |
| 1913 | D | Type 1 | -- | $21.80 | $24.80 | $40 | $50 | $75 | $175 | $150 | $215 | $393 | $599 |
| 1913 | S | Type 1 | -- | $75 | $100 | $75 | $150 | $115 | $230 | $299 | $426 | $788 | $1,819.00 |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | Type 2 | -- | $18 | $20 | $25 | $30 | $50 | $49 | $160 | $215 | $425 | $988 |
| 1913 | D | Type 2 | -- | $160 | $157 | $172 | $208 | $320 | $320 | $425 | $530 | $1,188.00 | $2,860.00 |
| 1913 | S | Type 2 | -- | $325 | $430 | $379 | $549 | $579 | $1,013.00 | $1,430.00 | $1,798.00 | $3,055.00 | $6,045.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $20 | $22 | $37 | $45 | $43 | $220 | $143 | $260 | $422 | $1,270.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | 1914/(3) | -- | $403 | $533 | $598 | $764 | $979 | $2,315.00 | $5,605.00 | $9,460.00 | $22,550.00 | $67,000.00 |
| 1914 | D | -- | -- | $160 | $170 | $154 | $232 | $298 | $444 | $550 | $740 | $1,423.00 | $2,790.00 |
| 1914 | S | -- | -- | $40 | $50 | $70 | $103 | $149 | $240 | $436 | $726 | $2,525.00 | $6,625.00 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $8.20 | $10 | $15 | $35 | $39 | $170 | $143 | $250 | $533 | $780 |
| 1915 | D | -- | -- | $37 | $60 | $80 | $130 | $159 | $330 | $367 | $665 | $1,433.00 | $4,800.00 |
| 1915 | S | -- | -- | $100 | $100 | $195 | $378 | $553 | $871 | $1,563.00 | $2,310.00 | $3,515.00 | $5,875.00 |
| 1916 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $6.70 | $8 | $15 | $25 | $24.90 | $100 | $111 | $148 | $338 | $702 |
| 1916 | (None) Phil | Doubled Die Obverse | -- | $7,080.00 | $9,415.00 | $12,875.00 | $19,000.00 | $27,800.00 | $67,500.00 | $155,250.00 | $272,500.00 | -- | -- |
| 1916 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $40 | $50 | $80 | $120 | $175 | $320 | $727 | $1,585.00 | $7,970.00 |
| 1916 | S | -- | -- | $18 | $33 | $50 | $88 | $120 | $224 | $403 | $908 | $2,400.00 | $5,730.00 |
| 1917 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $7.20 | $10 | $17 | $25 | $28.80 | $74 | $231 | $289 | $508 | $1,110.00 |
| 1917 | D | -- | -- | $36 | $54 | $90 | $150 | $267 | $477 | $815 | $1,143.00 | $2,615.00 | $5,740.00 |
| 1917 | S | -- | -- | $50 | $80 | $140 | $229 | $365 | $1,109.00 | $1,759.00 | $2,780.00 | $3,885.00 | $6,775.00 |
| 1918 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $7.20 | $12 | $17 | $29.90 | $59 | $185 | $389 | $580 | $1,112.00 | $2,365.00 |
| 1918 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $70 | $120 | $240 | $339 | $578 | $1,182.00 | $1,483.00 | $3,650.00 | $7,638.00 |
| 1918/7 | D | -- | -- | $1,137.00 | $2,220.00 | $3,305.00 | $8,225.00 | $12,450.00 | $29,950.00 | $46,050.00 | $104,250.00 | $280,750.00 | $531,250.00 |
| 1918 | S | -- | -- | $30 | $61 | $114 | $211 | $378 | $1,043.00 | $2,510.00 | $3,445.00 | $12,475.00 | $49,000.00 |
| 1919 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $5.40 | $8 | $9 | $30 | $37 | $92 | $196 | $281 | $521 | $1,437.00 |
| 1919 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $75 | $110 | $250 | $401 | $938 | $1,770.00 | $3,085.00 | $5,530.00 | $13,600.00 |
| 1919 | S | -- | -- | $25 | $54 | $100 | $230 | $480 | $774 | $1,695.00 | $3,120.00 | $9,300.00 | $78,000.00 |
| 1920 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $3.70 | $5.60 | $8.20 | $20 | $33 | $79 | $172 | $240 | $799 | $1,398.00 |
| 1920 | D | -- | -- | $20 | $48 | $107 | $250 | $392 | $780 | $1,627.00 | $2,905.00 | $5,185.00 | $45,495.00 |
| 1920 | S | -- | -- | $16.40 | $35 | $86 | $175 | $299 | $790 | $1,558.00 | $2,905.00 | $10,210.00 | $49,995.00 |
| 1921 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $8.70 | $10 | $25 | $60 | $130 | $251 | $415 | $523 | $1,063.00 | $2,129.00 |
| 1921 | S | -- | -- | $120 | $170 | $230 | $817 | $1,185.00 | $2,455.00 | $3,595.00 | $4,480.00 | $10,000.00 | $22,950.00 |
| 1923 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4.20 | $5.70 | $7.80 | $25 | $37 | $200 | $190 | $291 | $549 | $971 |
| 1923 | S | -- | -- | $10 | $33 | $80 | $220 | $320 | $603 | $1,041.00 | $1,660.00 | $5,395.00 | $42,450.00 |
| 1924 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $6 | $5 | $12 | $27 | $44 | $105 | $287 | $461 | $838 | $2,520.00 |
| 1924 | D | -- | -- | $16.50 | $27 | $91 | $230 | $340 | $592 | $1,210.00 | $1,590.00 | $4,150.00 | $12,030.00 |
| 1924 | S | -- | -- | $50 | $91 | $250 | $718 | $1,535.00 | $3,210.00 | $5,148.00 | $8,600.00 | $11,750.00 | $41,250.00 |
| 1925 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4.40 | $7 | $10 | $25 | $31 | $54 | $163 | $260 | $465 | $1,009.00 |
| 1925 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $37 | $120 | $177 | $400 | $581 | $929 | $1,503.00 | $4,165.00 | $9,850.00 |
| 1925 | S | -- | -- | $14 | $20 | $70 | $200 | $270 | $733 | $1,564.00 | $2,533.00 | $9,045.00 | $91,500.00 |
| 1926 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $4.10 | $8 | $20 | $21.30 | $43 | $96 | $135 | $240 | $482 |
| 1926 | D | -- | -- | $20 | $33 | $81 | $165 | $292 | $435 | $573 | $1,089.00 | $4,575.00 | $9,460.00 |
| 1926 | S | -- | -- | $55 | $80 | $150 | $934 | $2,208.00 | $5,060.00 | $9,820.00 | $13,200.00 | $77,995.00 | $126,500.00 |
| 1927 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $5 | $3.80 | $5 | $13 | $21.30 | $130 | $91 | $184 | $313 | $524 |
| 1927 | D | -- | -- | $10.30 | $17 | $37 | $120 | $130 | $258 | $457 | $923 | $3,915.00 | $20,600.00 |
| 1927 | S | -- | -- | $5.30 | $11.80 | $40 | $120 | $310 | $965 | $2,365.00 | $2,820.00 | $12,250.00 | $80,750.00 |
| 1928 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $3.80 | $10 | $15 | $24.90 | $44 | $98 | $161 | $289 | $728 |
| 1928 | D | -- | -- | $5 | $9 | $17 | $43 | $51 | $200 | $168 | $212 | $495 | $3,750.00 |
| 1928 | S | -- | -- | $8 | $7 | $15 | $40 | $140 | $330 | $697 | $1,038.00 | $2,530.00 | $13,275.00 |
| 1929 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $3.80 | $7 | $17 | $21.30 | $39 | $82 | $130 | $275 | $627 |
| 1929 | D | -- | -- | $4 | $7 | $12 | $35 | $47 | $75 | $160 | $260 | $888 | $1,903.00 |
| 1929 | S | -- | -- | $4 | $3.20 | $6 | $17 | $26 | $62 | $151 | $204 | $396 | $917 |
| 1930 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $3.30 | $5 | $10 | $25 | $120 | $80 | $125 | $208 | $403 |
| 1930 | S | -- | -- | $4 | $3.60 | $6 | $17 | $50 | $89 | $172 | $291 | $447 | $888 |
| 1931 | S | -- | -- | $16.10 | $17.60 | $20.20 | $30 | $60 | $160 | $138 | $230 | $294 | $530 |
| 1934 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $3.30 | $7 | $15 | $25.50 | $75 | $89 | $140 | $208 | $573 |
| 1934 | D | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $10 | $25 | $48 | $83 | $153 | $210 | $417 | $1,965.00 |
| 1935 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $6 | $7 | $9.80 | $50 | $46 | $73 | $147 | $220 |
| 1935 | (None) Phil | Doubled Die Reverse | -- | $68 | $86 | $150 | $465 | $1,029.00 | $5,840.00 | $8,850.00 | $11,700.00 | $37,750.00 | -- |
| 1935 | D | -- | -- | $4 | $3.30 | $10 | $20 | $43 | $130 | $98 | $112 | $278 | $875 |
| 1935 | S | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $3.70 | $13 | $19.10 | $120 | $69 | $240 | $192 | $769 |
| 1936 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $6 | $7 | $10.40 | $40 | $50 | $62 | $100 | $168 |
| 1936 | D | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $3.70 | $7 | $25 | $36 | $52 | $75 | $113 | $177 |
| 1936 | D | 3-1/2 Legs | -- | $827 | $1,175.00 | $1,845.00 | $4,480.00 | $6,690.00 | $14,100.00 | $26,000.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1936 | S | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $3.80 | $8 | $15 | $70 | $48 | $72 | $117 | $217 |
| 1937 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $6 | $5 | $9.80 | $40 | $35 | $46 | $63 | $94 |
| 1937 | D | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $3.70 | $6 | $9.80 | $50 | $38 | $47 | $82 | $111 |
| 1937 | D | 3 Legs | -- | $504 | $600 | $849 | $1,058.00 | $1,295.00 | $2,918.00 | $5,890.00 | $8,295.00 | $31,800.00 | $50,995.00 |
| 1937 | S | -- | -- | $4 | $5 | $6 | $7 | $9.80 | $70 | $37 | $60 | $85 | $139 |
| 1938 | D | -- | -- | $3 | $3.60 | $5 | $7 | $9.80 | $1,295.00 | $34 | $41 | $54 | $86 |
| 1938 | D/S | -- | -- | $10.90 | $12.50 | $14 | $20.20 | $33 | $55 | $81 | $119 | $140 | $221 |
| 1938 | D/D | -- | -- | $4.90 | $6.20 | $7.30 | $9.80 | $14.10 | $31 | $45 | $60 | $94 | $145 |
History of the Buffalo Nickel
The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, is a well-known and popular U.S. coin design. The Buffalo Nickel was minted from 1913 to 1938, replacing the Liberty Head (V) Nickel to modernize U.S. coinage. James Earle Fraser designed the coin to celebrate American heritage, with an obverse portrait combining features from three Native American chiefs and a reverse inspired by Black Diamond, a bison that lived in New York’s Central Park Zoo.
The obverse features a Native American portrait, and the reverse shows an American bison (buffalo). Collectors seek Buffalo Nickels for their design, historical significance, and key-date rarities, so they are common in numismatic collections. The Buffalo Nickel series underwent a notable design modification in 1913.
- Type 1 (1913): Features a raised mound beneath the buffalo, but excessive
wear led to a redesign.
- Type 2 (1913-1938): The ground is flat, and the denomination was
placed in a recessed area for durability.
Production ended in 1938 when the Jefferson Nickel replaced the Buffalo Nickel.
Rarest Coins in the Series
- 1913 Type 1 & Type 2: Transition year, featuring mound and flat ground designs.
- 1913-S Type 2: A rare coin with a low mintage.
- 1916 Doubled Die Obverse: Features evident doubling in the date and lettering.
- 1918/7-D Overdate: A rare variety where 1917 was overpunched with 1918.
- 1921-S: A scarce low-mintage issue
- 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo: The front leg is missing due to over-polishing of the die.
- Off-Center Strikes: Some Buffalo Nickels were struck off-center, increasing collector interest.
Collectors and investors often seek the following key dates and varieties. View the full list here.
Types of Collections
- Date and Mintmark Set: Collecting one of each year and mint combination (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco). Appeals to beginners, since many common dates are affordable.
- Type Set: Assembling both the “Type 1” (raised mound, 1913 only) and “Type 2” (recessed mound, 1913–1938) designs offers a straightforward start for new collectors.
- Complete Set (All Dates and Mints): This set would include every mintmark and hard-to-find error coin from 1913 to 1938.
- Variety and Error Collections: Collectors with advanced interests seek die varieties, major overdates, and errors like the famous 1937-D “three-legged buffalo.”
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
Buffalo Nickels provide an entry point for newcomers because many common-date, circulated examples were struck in large numbers and remain affordable. Beginners can build type sets or year sets while learning to identify clear dates, sharp strikes, and a full horn on the buffalo. Values increase for better dates, mintmarks, and higher-grade pieces. Store coins in airtight holders to minimize wear and protect condition.
Advanced Collecting
Scarce issues such as the 1926-S (lowest-mintage regular issue), the 1918/7-D overdate, and the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo error require expertise, authentication, and patience because they are expensive and hard to locate. Completing a full set that includes major varieties is a complex project for advanced collectors with deeper knowledge of the series.
Investment Potential
Buffalo Nickels are sought after by collectors, especially key-date issues and rare varieties, which often carry higher market values. Coins such as the 1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D Overdate, and 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo continue to appreciate in value. Full Horn (FH) coins in high grades remain in demand among collectors.