How many 3-legged Buffalo nickels are there?
Greysheet Catalog Details
While there are no known mintage figures for the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel, numismatic experts believe approximately 10,000 survive, with the vast majority of these extant in circulated grades.
Hence the Denver Mint created three-legged Buffalo nickels in 1937. Without a doubt, this is the most famous and highly sought-after key date in the Buffalo nickel series. Collectors in the late 1930's quickly discovered the Mint employee's error and the 1937-D nickel became a classic even in its own time.
1937 D 3 LEGS Buffalo Nickel Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Buffalo Nickel from 1937 D in circulated condition is worth between $350 and $1950. However, on the open market 1937 D 3 LEGS Nickels in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $110000.
1937 D 3 LEGS Buffalo Nickel Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Buffalo Nickel from 1937 D in circulated condition is worth between $350 and $1950. However, on the open market 1937 D 3 LEGS Nickels in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $110000.
The lowest-mintage Buffalo nickel, the 1926-S at 970,000, is not that tough in circulated grades. This is most likely because it was pulled from circulation in greater numbers more quickly. The line type 1913-S and 1913-D, however, are tougher and more expensive than their mintages would indicate.
- 1921-S: $1,765 - $2,340.
- 1918-S: $640 - $3,000.
- 1924-S: $2,500 - $4,000.
- 1937-D 3 Legs: $2,700 - $5,700.
- 1935-P Doubled Die Reverse: $5,700 - $6,900.
- 1914-P 4 over 3: $3,000 - $7,000.
- 1926-S: $5,000 - $10,000.
- 1936-D 3 and a half legs: $16,000 - $21,000.
Look for doubling in the last three digits of the date. You will notice that the duplicate digits are a little to the right and lower than the more pronounced date of 1916. This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties.
There are 2 main types of Buffalo Nickel: Type I, where the buffalo is standing on a mound and Type II, where the buffalo is standing on a line. The coin is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel and was minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (mint mark D) and San Francisco (mint mark S).
As with any coin distributed in such numbers, there were some unforeseen problems, one of which has become infamously known as the 1937-D “three-legged” nickel. In this version, one of the buffalo's legs is missing. The error was a result of alterations made to the die used in the Denver Mint.
An uncirculated, fully struck coin will have a full horn, with the entire outline showing. As the coin wears, the right portion of the horn is the first to disappear, until only the tip is left on a well-worn coin.
How much is a poor condition Buffalo nickel?
Today, most buffalo details have soft details and obvious signs of wear. However, even a very worn buffalo nickel is worth well above its five-cent face value. According to Coin Study, a circulated buffalo nickel in poor or fair condition is worth a minimum of 40 to 50 cents.
Due to the over-polishing of the dies, Mr. Young accidentally removed the details of the bison's front right leg from the reverse die. Therefore, any coins struck from this die will be missing one of the bison's legs on the reverse design – this is how the 3-Legged Buffalo nickel came into existence.
1926 S Buffalo Nickel
This coin is the rarest of all Buffalo nickels. Minted in San Francisco, only 970,000 were produced. This was the only Buffalo nickel with a total mintage of less than a million.
Reverse side of a 1937 Buffalo Nickel with a “D” mint mark, in circulated condition and showing signs of normal wear. The buffalo on the reverse side of the Buffalo Nickel is a male North American bison.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $433,400
While other mints and other years had millions of examples, only 970,000 Buffalo nickels came out of the San Francisco mint in 1926. A special example on this rare nickels list is one 1926-S Buffalo nickel that sold for $322,000 in 2008, or about $433,400 in 2023 dollars.
The buffalo design is different from the 1913-1938 coin. In addition to the unique one-time-only Buffalo reverse design on the 2005 Nickel, this coin also features a new obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson. This is the first new portrait of Jefferson since the Jefferson Nickel series started in 1938.
1937 D Buffalo Nickel 3 Legs
This error occurs only in the Denver mint (D) coins, and can be seen on the reverse, specifically on the front legs of the Buffalo. Due to a minting error the right leg is hardly visible. This is why the error is called 3 legs. If you are owner of a Buffalo nickel 1937 D, you are a lucky!
Most circulated buffalo nickels are only worth a slight premium over their still legal tender face value of 5 cents. Typically 25 or 30 cents. However, experienced coin collectors pay significant premiums for buffalo nickels that look as fresh and detailed today as the day they were minted.
Tens of millions of buffalo nickels were minted between 1910 and 1921 but then a recession happened and buffalo nickels were not minted in 1922. This started the downfall of the buffalo nickel and the United States mint was looking for replacements and was eventually replaced by the Jefferson nickel.
- 1913 Liberty Nickel - The Olsen Specimen: $3,737,500.
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse: $350,750.
- 1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $322,000.
- 1916 Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse: $281,750.
- 1913-D Buffalo Nickel - Type 2: $143,750.
- 1917-S Buffalo Nickel: $138,000.
What nickel is worth $10000?
1955 Nickels Are Worth More Than Face Value (As Much As $10,000)... Here's What To Look For! Rare coins worth money, Rare coins, Coin values.
Indian Head or Buffalo nickels have been relatively stable over the last few years. However, some of the key dates and rarities have declined since reaching their peak in 2008. Since these coins do not contain any silver or gold, they do not react to the market fluctuations of these precious metals.
Definition: The Type I “Buffalo” nickel had the words FIVE CENTS placed on the side of the mound upon which the buffalo stands. The Type II “Buffalo” nickel had the mound partially cut away, creating an exergue for the words FIVE CENTS.
What's the origin of 2005 nickel errors? As we have said before, the error on this coin and the reason it can cost over a thousand dollars is the speared bison, a rare variant of the normal version that appeared at the Denver mint. The reverse error looks like a spear piercing one side of the American buffalo.
To determine if your Indian Head nickel is uncirculated, look at the highest points of the design as indicated using the color red on the photo. If the mint luster is worn away from these points, the coin cannot be classified as uncirculated.
The U.S. "Buffalo" Nickel was minted between 1913 and 1938. The date was placed on a raised area beneath the image of a native American; the date was usually the first thing to disappear as a Buffalo nickel wore down in people's pockets, purses and being handled in transactions.
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.
The San Francisco Mint's production of the 1936 Buffalo Nickel was relatively small, making it a particularly desirable coin among collectors.
It's quite common to find Buffalo nickels that are dateless—missing the four digits that indicate the year the coin was made. Even without a date, rest assured these Buffalo nickels are authentic coins. They still are great collectibles for enthusiastic coin collectors.
The first Buffalo Nickels produced by The United States Mint in 1913 featured the denomination of FIVE CENTS on a raised mound of dirt below the buffalo on the reverse of the coin.
Are all Buffalo nickels rare?
Of all the Buffalo nickels ever produced, the production run at the San Francisco mint in 1926 yielded only 970,000. This is the lowest mintage of any coin in the Buffalo Nickel series. From the beginning, the odds were against any large number of these coins being saved in uncirculated condition.
The NGC Price Guide estimates that a circulated 1937 Buffalo Nickel is worth between $0.50 and $20 as of February 2023. On the open market, 1937 nickels, however, can fetch up to $8000 for valuable, uncirculated pieces.
1913 TYPE 2 Buffalo Nickel Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Buffalo Nickel from 1913 in circulated condition is worth between $5 and $37.50. However, on the open market 1913 TYPE 2 Nickels in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $8750.
| DATE | GOOD | EXTREMELY FINE |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) | $12 | $25 |
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) (D) | $15 | $42 |
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety I) (S) | $45 | $90 |
| 1913 Buffalo Nickel (Variety II) | $10 | $22 |
The most famous of these is the 1937 D Three Legged Buffalo Nickel. Other popular varieties include the 1918 over 17 D Buffalo Nickel, the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel, the 1938 D/S Buffalo Nickel, and the 1914/1913 Buffalo Nickel.
Gold Buffalo Coins are limited edition proof coins and among the most coveted and sought after products produced by the U.S. Mint. Based on the highly popular Type I Buffalo nickel, these coins were reintroduced as the first 24-karat gold proof coin ever struck by the U.S.
Rare 2005 Buffalo Nickel
The rare variant of speared bison nickel from Denver is among the rarest and most famous coins in the Buffalo nickel series. Another rare Westward journey nickel is the 2005 S Buffalo nickel. San Francisco produced only the nickel proofs of the 2005 American bison, making them rare and pricey.
- Liberty Head V Nickel. 1913. $3,737,500.
- 7-D Buffalo Nickel. 1918. $350,750.
- S Buffalo Nickel. 1926. $322,000.
- Buffalo Nickel. 1916. $281,750.
- D Buffalo Nickel. 1913. $143,750.
- S Buffalo Nickel. 1917. $138,000.
- D Buffalo Nickel. 1920. $138,000.
- Shield Nickel. 1867. $132,250.
There are many notable varieties in the Buffalo Nickel series, and among them are the Two Feathers Buffalo Nickels. These coins, identified by the lack of a third feather in the Native American chief's headdress on the obverse, are one of the more popular varieties sought by collectors.
Key Takeaways: The 1937 Buffalo nickel is worth between $0.5 and $20. Errors and the mint mark are the key components affecting the coin's value.
What is the rarest Buffalo nickel?
1926 S Buffalo Nickel
This coin is the rarest of all Buffalo nickels. Minted in San Francisco, only 970,000 were produced. This was the only Buffalo nickel with a total mintage of less than a million.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $433,400
While other mints and other years had millions of examples, only 970,000 Buffalo nickels came out of the San Francisco mint in 1926. A special example on this rare nickels list is one 1926-S Buffalo nickel that sold for $322,000 in 2008, or about $433,400 in 2023 dollars.
Look for doubling in the last three digits of the date. You will notice that the duplicate digits are a little to the right and lower than the more pronounced date of 1916. This die variety is the most sought-after of all the Buffalo nickel varieties.
Another rare Westward journey nickel is the 2005 S Buffalo nickel. San Francisco produced only the nickel proofs of the 2005 American bison, making them rare and pricey.
- 1921-S: $1,765 - $2,340.
- 1918-S: $640 - $3,000.
- 1924-S: $2,500 - $4,000.
- 1937-D 3 Legs: $2,700 - $5,700.
- 1935-P Doubled Die Reverse: $5,700 - $6,900.
- 1914-P 4 over 3: $3,000 - $7,000.
- 1926-S: $5,000 - $10,000.
- 1936-D 3 and a half legs: $16,000 - $21,000.
The last Buffalo nickels were struck in April 1938, at the Denver Mint, the only mint to strike them that year. On October 3, 1938, production of the Jefferson nickel began, and they were released into circulation on November 15.
- 1913 Liberty Nickel - The Olsen Specimen: $3,737,500.
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse: $350,750.
- 1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $322,000.
- 1916 Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse: $281,750.
- 1913-D Buffalo Nickel - Type 2: $143,750.
- 1917-S Buffalo Nickel: $138,000.
The 1964 nickel was the last 5-cent coin to bear mint marks till 1968. The rare 1964 nickel entails a sharper appearance than previous Jefferson nickels. The proof 1964 nickel portrays the appearance most and can retail for approximately $4 to $7. A specific type of error can make a 1964 nickel rare.