This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties. The beginning of the Buffalo nickel series saw the year 1913 struck with two different reverse varieties. Return and keep pace with your rising buffalo nickel value. Additional doubling is evident on the bison's eye, horn, and mane. Most elements sit well above the field of the coin, including the date. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. A small raised area of all digits is always visible. Coins for sale for Buffalo type Nickels items. Along the upper shoulder where the fur meets the back remains with a luster indicating a mint state coin. The raised letters specifying the denomination of "FIVE CENTS" wore away prematurely. Copyright © 2007-2021 Daniel A. HarrisAll Rights Reserved, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591. Overall a buffalo nickel in Good grade remains with a bold outline of both the Indian and buffalo. Many times, the decade digit is just visible, a difference in the "1" | "2" | "3" is recognizable. This is another example of an extremely rare mint error. When the design first came out, the buffalo on the reverse was standing on a mound of dirt. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142 Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Overall most of the fur details remain. Rare High-Grade 1913-S … Only a slight definition of contour remains separating head, shoulder, stomach, and hip. February 14, 2020 . Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: High areas of the buffalo's fur are inspected to detect any wear. Of these the 1913-S on the "recessed mound" (known as T2) design became the rare variety. Last two digits of date are better defined. Wikimedia . In most years all three mints produced nickels. Minted 1913 to 1938; buffalo nickel value is found by determining date | mintmark | condition. Hair detail is missing throughout the center portion above the braid. In 1913 the U.S. Mint retired the Liberty Head nickel (or "V" nickel) design and started making the Buffalo nickel. The resulting unnatural appearance has lowered value. Check out our rare buffalo nickels selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our coins & money shops. A surprising premium coin is the last year of the Buffalo nickel 1938, all were minted at Denver. The Philadelphia mint did not place mintmarks on Buffalo nickels. Rare dates and mintmark combinations are a start. Just under the Indian's eye his cheek is one of the high points to design. There are several valuable Buffalo nickel key dates and varieties that every coin collector should be aware of. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling. Additionally, this rare coin can sell for thousands of dollars even in a well-worn condition such as G-4. A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. All other types of nickels without dates are only worth face value. Those from the first few years of minting that are carefully preserved are highly sought after. C $442.55; Buy It Now +C $26.58 shipping; From United States ; Customs services and international tracking provided. Low mintage numbers of San Francisco Buffalo nickels place most dates as the scarce issue for the year. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. A total of six varieties of 1913 nickels were struck. Rare Buffalo Nickels The 1913-S Type I Buffalo nickel is a scarce issue which retails for around $50 in Good condition. Any wear shows as a color change to the metal and a smoothing of texture. Coins Found in Pocket Change. The model on the obverse was actually a composite of three Indian chiefs named Iron Tail, Big Tree and Two Moons. Many collectors find these coins appealing. Coin Values Discovery finds Buffalo Nickel Value and... All old US coin values. San Francisco mint placed a "S" mintmark on the reverse just under Five Cents. Therefore make sure this coin is also certified and graded by a numismatic expert from a third-party grading company. or Best Offer +C $21.09 shipping; From United States; Customs services and international tracking provided. At the Denver mint facility in 1918, another production mistake yielded a spectacular doubled die variety on the obverse. The U.S. Mint was founded in 1792 and has been producing coins for our nation ever since. A collector passes on these damaged coins. It is very valuable in circulated grades and very rare in uncirculated grades. Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A date is readable but very faint. Your buffalo nickel value increases dramatically the better condition of your coin. The intriguing history of the rare buffalo nickel. Coin Value Guide | How to Value a Coin Collection. 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. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results. Buffalo nickels became the icon nickel of the twentieth century with collectors. A very popular series with collectors, each coin is evaluated closely to identify its full potential. This low mintage number at San Francisco yields a high value for this scarce coin. Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A strong demand is found in old nickels meeting the Mint State grade standards. The above are wholesale coin values. The "one" is often very weak at the bottom, but is separate from the "nine". Second variety: 1913 to 1938 Type II A modification to the design recessed the lettering of "Five Cents" within the mound below the buffalo. Strands of hair remain bold throughout, blending with the feather is minimal. In 1916 a production mistake at the mint yielded a dramatic doubled die on the obverse of the coin. 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. Dates and mintmarks are only part of old nickel value. Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light helps identify a faint digit or two. The date area is high in relief on Buffalo nickels and quickly wears. This video is sponsored by Noble Gold Investments. A distinct line remains separating the buffalo's back with the line of fur along the upper leg to the upper back. Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs. Expert numismatists can tell if a coin has been altered. As such, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common Buffalo nickels. The United States Mint in Philadelphia produced this die variety when a mistake was made during the manufacturing process of the coin die. It is very valuable in circulated grades and very rare in uncirculated grades. A total of 118 million were struck with all years combined, lowest of the mints. A very popular series with collectors, each coin is evaluated closely to identify its full potential. 1938 US Mint Annual Report This rare nickel entered circulation in 1913; about halfway through the year, the design was changed with the denomination recessed below the coins rim. Introduced in 1913; the beginning year saw modifications to the design during the year. Beginning with identifying important dates and mintmarks. You will notice that the duplicate digits are a little to the right and lower than the more pronounced date of 1916. 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. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. The long feather at the back of the head is only just beginning to merge with the Indian's hair. 1918-D 8 over 7 (doubled die variety) 4. Check out our rare buffalo nickel selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. This 14-to-1 ratio makes this coin scarce and all grades. 800.375.9006. James Earle Fraser designed both the Indian obverse and Buffalo reverse. C $20.41; 0 bids. If identity of date is uncertain the coin is falling below the Good grade and value. Details about Rare Buffalo Nickel See original listing. 1925-S BUFFALO NICKEL - PCGS CERTIFIED - AU55 - RARE DATE! Mintmarks on the Denver and San Francisco issues identify the mint. Buffalo nickels are a high relief design. In 1937, a production worker at the Denver mint facility tried to repair a damaged reverse die only to make things worse. Slowly tilt the angle to the light to bring out subtle detail. James Bucki has over 40 years of coin collecting experience, receiving specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collecting techniques. Therefore, the highest points of the coin are usually flat and lacking detail due to an incomplete strike. Follow the step by step process below and find where your coin is listed on the value chart. Buffalo Nickel Design. In uncirculated grades, the price can exceed $100,000. The following Buffalo nickels in any condition, are worth considerable more than common ones. Using a single light source and magnification, first inspect for a clear date. Uncirculated coins are even rarer and will cost $1,000 and up. Often upper part of letters are very faint to missing. Videos, close-up images and descriptions, give insight into the details to accurately grade the condition of your old nickels. Additionally, this rare coin can sell for thousands of dollars even in a well-worn condition such as G-4. All three mints produced both varieties of these coins, but the San Francisco issue with the "S" mint mark on the reverse is the rarest. Today, dealers and collectors are searching to find, and have the funds to buy well preserved coins. Collectors typically assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year. Affordable in higher condition, a date run is a popular collection, creating a steady demand for all Buffalo nickels. This variety is recognized by strong doubling on the inscriptions FIVE CENTS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Evidence of a horn remaining helps identify the Fine grade. The index page helps identify the Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, Jefferson and Three Cent Nickels. First variety: 1913 Type I portrays the buffalo standing on a mounded surface. We look at rare nickels worth money to look for in circulation. In the hip area, any wear causes a flattening of the profile and smoothness to the metal. Shop with confidence. Defining the grade is the first digits "19" are readable. High and low areas representing lines of hair remain without any smoothing. Three different mints struck Buffalo nickels throughout the span of the series; 1913 to 1938. Flattened areas of the head, shoulder, stomach, and hip are evident but no areas are connecting. Grading Buffalo Nickels - How to Video and Descriptions. There was a die clash in the lower-left corner of the die by the buffalo's right leg. This Type II reverse design continued until the end of the series in 1938. Online shopping from a great selection at Toys & Games Store. ★ US Mint. Buffalo Nickels vs. Indian Head Nickels . The value table shows the importance of the key elements to identify. Most of the old nickels found today are the Philadelphia issue. Some of the differences are quite obvious, while others are minute and can only be seen with magnification. Free delivery for many products! How much Buffalo Nickels are worth. 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. Do not mistake this coin for the weaker doubling as found on variety FS-05-1935-803. Each number is complete. A heavily worn coin with a readable date is worth well above face value. Flatness is limited to the forward area of leg. Today, there are dozens of varieties that are popular with collectors – but none of them hold a flame to the buffalo nickel. Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination - Identify date and locate mintmarks to find listing on the value chart. Although this variety is not as pronounced as the 1916 variety, it is still very obvious on the last digit of the date. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Starting bid: US $125.00 [ 0 bids] Shipping: Calculate Varies based on location and shipping method. Lookup Coin values for Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Brilliant Uncirculated & Proof conditions and MS grade. 1916/16 (doubled die variety) 3. San Francisco lagged significantly behind with only 970,000 coins. The price of lower grade coins makes it easy for younger collectors to start and enjoy collecting the series. Luster imparted during minting is a fine grain surface easily removed when worn. 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. All digits of the date are clear and well raised. For some, the challenge of assembling a complete set of Buffalo Nickels provides an unparalleled exhilaration. A distinct change protecting both the denomination and mintmark. A coin collector must know the date to determine its value and see if it is a rare nickel or not. Buffalo Nickels are very popular. 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. Many surviving nickels have partial dates. No wear to the surface is the defining factor. Rare Buffalo Nickels For Sale APMEX carries a wide selection of Buffalo Nickels in many conditions. (For a Buffalo nickel to grade at least “Good,” its date and lettering must all be visible.) Step 2: Grading Condition - Using Video, Images, and Descriptions judge the condition and determine grade. Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A bold date, fully raised is a defining feature of the Extremely Fine grade. Judging condition directly links to how much your coin is worth. Today, the Buffalo Nickel is extremely popular among collectors. Helping define the grade is areas of flatness are small and disconnected. This is the 1936 buffalo nickel value. This raised lettering was determined unsatisfactory, quick to wear and loose the statement of denomination. 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. Both Type I and Type II nickels were minted at all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco and valued individually. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591, Date by DateIn Depth Buffalo Nickel Value1913 to 1938. In uncirculated grades, the value can exceed $50,000. Therefore, the uncirculated specimens are extremely rare. A bold date showing places your coin in the upper grade ranges. The shoulder of the Indian is raised and date is on top, placing it as one of the highest areas on the surface. 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. Step 3: Special Qualities - Varieties are important to collectors, compare your coin to images to recognize the important qualities to these old buffalo nickels. Last digit of date is fully separated from the trailing end of the tie holding the braid of hair. Flatness extends upward to the part in the hair. "Liberty" is readable but fully connected with the rim. Skip to main content. Looking on the reverse, just under Five Cents; if without a mintmark, the coin was struck at Philadelphia. The San Francisco mint made slightly less than 1.5 million coins. 1883/2 Shield nickel ($220) — A Shield nickel overdate is among the more rare early nickels, though there usually isn’t a … Buffalo nickels were made from 1913 to 1938. Individual series covered: Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson nickels. A few buffalo nickels are somewhat rare but many others are fairly common and sell for a couple of dollars in moderately worn condition. A majority of them circulated before collectors could save them for their coin collections. Throughout the years the main mint placed over 900 million nickels into circulation. Its last minting took place in 1938. Wide areas of flatness are now larger than contoured areas. The bison model, named "Black Diamond", lived in the New York Bronx Zoo, and steadfastly refused to cooperate with Fraser. Many factors go into determining the value of a coin, and the value of Buffalo nickels are no exception. Denver placed a "D" mintmark on the reverse to identify its production. A defining line remains indicating the fur from the back of the buffalo. Though the Buffalo Nickel faced a few more problems with its production, the coins continued in circulation for some time to come. They are attractive in their design and price, giving them a value boost. Philadelphia did not place a mintmark on their production. Ended: Nov 11, 2020. Minted 1913 to 1938; buffalo nickel value is a minimum of 40 to 50 cents each. The 1924-S Buffalo nickel is by no means a rare coin in circulated condition. Closest protection to the date is the rim below and knot in hair braid above. Although worn to a shallow profile, all digits must show. Early year examples 1913 to 1926 are all high premium coins. Now that you know more about how the Buffalo Nickel came to be, you may be curious as to what the design of the coin actually looks like. The coin’s obverse is dominated by the right-facing profile image of a Native American Indian. The "19" of the date often wears away first leaving just faint impressions of the last two digits. Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A once fully profiled buffalo is now flat. 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. The dates on these Buffalo nickels wore off mainly due to the location of the date on the coin itself. Next comparing your coin to images to judge and determine its condition and recognize its "grade". The buffalo's head is missing the majority of his horn; a small base is sometimes seen. The "19" are merging with each other but enough remains to identify. Look carefully for an underlying "7" under the last digit "8" in the date. This coin's high level of preservation and dramatic eye appeal make it an extremely valuable coin. This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties. 1926-S 7. Grading narrows into a close value range. First to judge is the date. View the hair along the parting line from his forehead to bow holding the feathers. Old Coin Values Using a Step by Step Method. All Study the descriptions and photographs of each coin and you will be able to identify these coins that you may have in your collection. Circulated specimens are easy to find, but you will pay a premium price for one of them. Light wear has flattened only the upper areas of fur. Look for doubling in the last three digits of the date. Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 1/4/2021: Gold $1929 | Silver $27.29. Jun 26, 2014 - Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Rare USA BUFFALO NICKEL 5 CENTS 1925 San Francisco Mint Bison American coin at the best online prices at eBay! No date buffalo nickel sells for good money - rare nickels worth money. Clay Models Buffalo Nickels These are clay models of the Buffalo Nickel sculpted by James Earle Fraser. A contour remains with no flat area connecting with the hair left of the eye. A collection of Buffalo nickels presents an engaging pursuit for both young and advanced collectors. A step by step method is used to discover old coin values. A small connection of the buffalo's head to the rim is noted. This 7-to-1 ratio makes the San Francisco coin the rare of the two issues. The ground surface and a defining lower line remains without flattening. Contour remains on the hip with a noticeable raise area defined. Look close at the lower edge of the ground, just above "Five Cents". A step by step video highlights the elements to the grades. Follow the steps to grading Buffalo nickels and it leads to how much your coins are worth… accurately. Therefore, make sure you acquire a certified specimen or purchase one from a reputable coin dealer. 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. The 1913-D Type II can bring in $125 in Good condition. Buffalo nickels are relatively small but are made out of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. Magnification is almost a must to use. Numismatic experts believe that the mint produced over 100,000 of these coins. Philadelphia produced a majority of the specimens with a mintage of over ten million coins while San Francisco only produced about 1,500,000 coins. The United States Mint only produced Buffalo nickels at the Philadelphia and San Francisco mint facilities in 1921. Discoloration has taken over the "look" of this nickel. 1. A few points on the coin are checked to confirm this top condition. The reason that some Buffalo nickels have no dates is simply because the dates have been worn off after many years in circulation. The Denver Mint in Colorado also contributed to the numbers of Buffalo nickels minted. Judge the surface of the cheek to match surrounding areas. Letters of "Liberty" are faint. US Mint. Rare in uncirculated grades has drive toe value of these coins to well over $2,000. It is also commonly known as the Indian Head nickel. , first inspect for a couple of dollars even in a well-worn condition such as.! Value and... all old US coin series, from Cents to Gold,,... 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