The official names of these United States minted coins from 1913 to 1938 are the Indian Head nickels. Due to their design featuring a Native American chief and an American bison, the coins have been popularly sought after by collectors.
The value of a Buffalo nickel depends on its rarity, errors during minting, and general condition.
In this article, we have ranked the five most valuable Buffalo nickels-from least to the most expensive-detailed insights about each coin, including its distinctive characteristics and what makes them costly.
1924-S Buffalo Nickel
The 1924-S Buffalo nickel is rare with a mintage of about 1.4 million pieces. Although its mintage is relatively higher than other rare Buffalo nickels, its value is significantly increased when found in high-grade conditions.
Coins graded at MS-66+ have sold for as much as $105,750 at auction. The coin’s value is mainly due to its low mintage and the rarity of well-preserved specimens.
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
A rare error coin, the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel has a three-legged buffalo, which resulted from a die polishing error. The error gives this coin much value among collectors.
Coins graded at MS-67 have been sold for about $99,875. This is because the error is so rare and there are only a few surviving specimens, making the market value high.
1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo Nickel
The 1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo nickel features an overdate error where the ‘8’ was over-struck onto a ‘7’ resulting in a flat-topped ‘8’. This was a Denver Mint error and collectors go wild for this coin.
MS-65 graded coins can be sold for approximately $350,750. This is largely due to the error of the overdate as well as the coin’s history.
1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel
The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo nickel is characterized by doubling of the date and the word ‘Liberty’ on the obverse due to die misalignment. This causes the coin to be exceptionally rare and valuable.
High-grade samples have sold at about $281,750. The age of the coin, combined with the doubling error, gives the piece considerable appeal to collectors.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel
The 1926-S Buffalo nickel is the rarest of all Buffalo nickels, with a mintage of only 970,000 coins. The coin’s age and historical significance, coupled with its scarcity, make it very valuable.
Coins graded MS-66 have sold for as much as $322,000. The low mintage and excellent preservation of the coin contribute to its high market value.
Top 5 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels
| Rank | Coin Type | Mintage | Notable Features | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1924-S Buffalo Nickel | 1,437,000 | Low mintage, high-grade specimens rare | $105,750 |
| 2 | 1937-D Three-Legged Nickel | Limited | Die polishing error, missing front leg | $99,875 |
| 3 | 1918/7-D Overdate Nickel | Limited | Overdate error, ‘8’ struck over ‘7’ | $350,750 |
| 4 | 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel | Limited | Doubling of date and ‘Liberty’ | $281,750 |
| 5 | 1926-S Buffalo Nickel | 970,000 | Rarest Buffalo nickel, low mintage | $322,000 |
Knowledge of what makes Buffalo nickels valuable will give you even greater appreciation for these historical coins and help you to identify some valuable ones.
FAQS:
What makes a Buffalo nickel valuable?
These factors in the determination of a Buffalo nickel value range from rarity to an error in minting, especially coin conditions. Most valuable coins are produced with a low mintage number, unique error, and excellent preservation quality.
What are the conditions for identifying the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel?
This coin features a buffalo with only three legs because of an error in die polishing. The front leg is missing and the back leg is ‘moth-eaten.
What is overdate error in Buffalo nickels?
An overdate error happens when a coin is impressed with a die showing an earlier date instead of the one intended to be issued. For example, the 1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo nickel has an impression ‘7’ underneath the ‘8’, producing a flat-topped ‘8’.