The Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 to 1938, is an iconic coin that has caught the attention of collectors for decades. The ones in top condition (or with unique errors) can even fetch sky-high prices, reaching thousands of dollars. This list contains 20 of the most valuable Buffalo Nickels you’d want to know about.
1925-D Buffalo Nickel: $57,500
The 1925-D Buffalo Nickel is rare in high grades due to poor striking. Of the 4.5 million minted in Denver, few remain in top condition. Collectors value its historical significance and rarity. An MS66 sold for $57,500 at a 2007 auction, which highlights its enduring appeal among numismatists.
1917-D Buffalo Nickel: $20,700
Despite a mintage of approximately 9.9 million, the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel is difficult to find in mint condition. A top-tier specimen graded MS67 by PCGS sold for $20,700 in January 2012. Most entered circulation and quickly wore down, which makes high-grade examples a rare discovery.
1924-D Buffalo Nickel: $44,063
With a relatively low mintage of 5.2 million, the 1924-D Buffalo Nickel is prized for its scarcity in pristine condition. Heavy circulation wore down the fine details, making worthy coins exceptionally rare. Selling for $44,063, an MS66 example proves its enduring value among collectors.
1936-D 3½ Legs Buffalo Nickel: $20,700
Born from excessive polishing, the 1936-D 3½ Legs Buffalo Nickel partially erases the bison’s front leg. This rare error intrigues collectors—an MS63 example sold for $20,700. It highlights the demand for unusual varieties in numismatics.
1938 D/S Over Mint Mark Buffalo Nickel: $25,300
Another error in 1938 saw a Denver mint mark struck over a San Francisco one, creating the D/S variety. Collectors value its historical significance and rarity. Cementing its status as a highly coveted Buffalo Nickel, an MS68 piece sold for $25,300.
1931-S Buffalo Nickel: $63,250
The 1931-S Buffalo Nickel is a true gem born from the hardships of the Great Depression. Its low mintage has soared its value, and finding one in great condition is a real challenge! In 2008, a stunning MS67 example shattered expectations when it was sold for an impressive $63,250.
1923-S Buffalo Nickel: $67,563
San Francisco’s 1923 Buffalo Nickels were struck in limited numbers, and many saw heavy use. Their weak strikes and rapid wear, which makes the good ones particularly scarce. Emphasizing the demand for these well-preserved relics of early 20th-century coinage, an MS66 was sold for $67,563 in 2013.
1926-D Buffalo Nickel: $70,500
This coin is a tough find because of its rarity and notoriously weak strike, which often softens the bison’s legs and the Native American’s features. Yet, when a crisp, high-grade example surfaces, collectors take notice! On October 8, 2020, an MS67 specimen commanded an impressive $70,500 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions.
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel – $99,875
In 2021, a breathtaking MS66+ example of this rare nickel sold for $99,875—but what makes it so special? It’s all in the name! The 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel got its legendary status from a polishing mishap that erased the bison’s front leg. This fascinating error has only fueled its desirability.
1924-S Buffalo Nickel: $105,750
Elusive and highly sought after, the 1924-S Buffalo Nickel is also a rarity in top condition because, just like many others, this one saw heavy circulation, too. Struck in San Francisco, these coins often exhibit worn dates, making well-preserved pieces all the more valuable. In 2016, an MS66+ specimen stunned collectors by selling for $105,750.
1935 Doubled Die Reverse Buffalo Nickel: $104,650
A reverse doubling error on the 1935 Buffalo Nickel gives it a distinctive look. For this reason, it remains a popular pick among error collectors. Most noticeable in the text, this anomaly enhances its appeal. In 2007, an MS65 piece sold for $104,650.
1919-S Buffalo Nickel: $109,250
A well-kept 1919-S Buffalo Nickel is notoriously hard to find. Its scarcity has turned it into yet another highly desirable collectible. Selling at $109,250 in 2006, one MS 66 nickel proves that the good versions from this year are true treasures.
1927-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350
In 2008, an MS 66+ nickel was sold for $125,350 and found its place among the most valuable Buffalo Nickels. With a low mintage and rapid wear, the 1927-S Buffalo Nickel is challenging to find in mint condition. Collectors prize this coin for its rarity and historical significance.
1918-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350
The 1918-S Buffalo Nickel had a tough life in circulation, often losing its minute details. Surviving high-grade coins are extremely rare. In 2008, an MS 66 version sold for $125,350, which marked it as a key target for advanced collectors seeking early San Francisco issues in exceptional condition.
1920-D Buffalo Nickel: $138,000
Buffalo Nickels from Denver in the early 1920s suffered from weak strikes, too, and the 1920-D is no exception. Finding a well-kept piece is not easy. An MS 67 was sold for $138,000, illustrating its desirability among advanced numismatists.
1917-S Buffalo Nickel: $138,000
In 2008, an MS 67 example sold for $138,000, which reflects its status as one of the most desirable Buffalo Nickels for serious collectors. The 1917-S Buffalo Nickel is rare in high grades due to circulation wear and inconsistent striking. Its scarcity in near-mint conditions has driven up demand.
1913-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel: $143,750
First-year Buffalo Nickels are always in demand, and the 1913-D Type 2 is especially coveted. Featuring a design change to the bison’s ground, it marked a key moment in the series. Highlighting its historical significance and collector appeal, an MS 68 version sold for $143,750 in 2008.
1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel: $281,750
A dramatic doubling on the obverse makes this one one of the most famous error coins. Highly sought after for its striking visual flaw, it stands as a highlight in Buffalo Nickel collecting. An MS 64 sold for $281,750 in 2004.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $322,000
The 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is notoriously scarce due to its low mintage and heavy circulation. In 2008, an MS 66 specimen sold for $322,000, showcasing its unparalleled rarity and cementing its reputation as one of the most valuable nickels in American coin history.
1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo Nickel: $350,750
The 1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo Nickel resulted from a 1917 die being re-punched with 1918. It created a distinctive overlapping date. With that, an MS65 coin was sold for $350,750 in 2006 and became one of the most valuable Buffalo Nickels ever auctioned.
