1920 Buffalo Nickel Coin Worth: Understanding Value and Rarity

The 1920 Buffalo Nickel is a highly sought-after coin among collectors. It's one of the most valuable nickels in circulation, with some rare varieties selling for thousands of dollars.

The value of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel depends on its condition, rarity, and mint mark. A well-preserved coin with a unique mint mark can be extremely valuable.

In mint condition, a 1920 Buffalo Nickel can be worth around $1 to $2. However, if it's in poor condition or lacks a mint mark, its value drops significantly.

Some rare varieties of the 1920 Buffalo Nickel can sell for as much as $10,000 or more, making it a lucrative find for collectors.

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The Buffalo Nickel has a rich history that dates back to 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Coinage Act, which authorized the production of a new nickel featuring a Native American on the front and a bison on the back.

The design of the Buffalo Nickel was created by James Earle Fraser, a renowned sculptor at the time. He was inspired by his childhood memories of Native American tribes he encountered while growing up on a ranch in the American West.

The Buffalo Nickel was first minted in 1913, but it wasn't until 1918 that it became a staple in American currency, with over 1 billion coins produced that year alone.

The coin's popularity soared during World War I, as it became a symbol of patriotism and American strength.

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The 1920 buffalo nickel is a beautiful coin with a rich design. The obverse features a portrait of President McKinley, while the reverse depicts a Native American warrior, often referred to as a buffalo nickel.

The design of the 1920 buffalo nickel is notable for its simplicity and elegance. The coin's diameter is 0.835 inches, making it a compact and easy-to-handle collectible.

One of the most distinctive features of the 1920 buffalo nickel is its mint mark. Located on the reverse, the mint mark indicates which mint produced the coin.

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Design and Production is where the magic happens. It's the stage where the design concept is brought to life.

The design team works closely with the production team to ensure that the final product meets the desired quality and functionality. This collaboration is crucial to achieving the desired outcome.

The production process involves several stages, including prototyping, testing, and refinement. Prototyping helps to identify and address any design flaws early on.

The team uses a combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to bring the design to life. This blend of old and new techniques allows for a high level of precision and attention to detail.

The production team works tirelessly to ensure that every detail is perfect, from the shape and color to the texture and finish. Their dedication is evident in the final product.

The production process is also where the design concept is refined and perfected. Any issues or concerns are addressed and resolved at this stage.

The end result is a product that not only looks great but also functions flawlessly. The design and production teams work together to create something truly special.

The obverse of the 1920 Buffalo nickel features the bust of a Native American man, designed by James Earle Fraser.

Fraser's model was a composite of different people, a "type" rather than an individual, and he named different individuals as his models at various times.

The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed to the right of the portrait, curving parallel to the coin edge.

The date is located to the left, on the shoulder of the portrait, and a small "F" below it is the initial of the artist.

The portrait takes up most of the coin surface, which was a point of contention with the Hobbs Company.

The reverse of the 1920 Buffalo Nickel is a work of art in itself. It was also designed by James Earle Fraser.

The Buffalo Nickel depicts a fine looking bison, standing on a patch of uneven ground, with his head lowered.

The bison's horns were a subject of debate, with some claiming they were modeled after an American bison named Black Diamond. However, Black Diamond was actually housed at the Central Park Zoo, not the Bronx Zoo.

The country's name, "AMERICA", curves to follow the upper coin edge on the reverse. Below it, the Latin motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is inscribed over three lines.

The words "E PLURIBUS UNUM" mean "From the many, one", referring to the creation of the country from a union of states.

The denomination, "FIVE CENTS", is written at the bottom of the reverse.

The condition of a 1920 Buffalo nickel is crucial in determining its value. A coin in mint state can fetch a significantly higher price than one in circulated condition.

To grade your coin, check the grading guides, which are essential in knowing the exact value of your coin. The grading scale ranges from Basal State-1 to Mint State 70.

Here's a quick reference guide to the grading scale:

The value of a 1920 Buffalo nickel can vary widely based on its condition and mint mark. In general, a circulated 1920 Buffalo Nickel can be worth around $1 to $10, while uncirculated examples can fetch $50 to $200 or more.

Grading Guides are essential to determine the value of your coin. The 1920 Buffalo Nickel Grading Guides provide a clear scale to evaluate the condition of your coin.

A Basal State-1 coin is the lowest grade, while a Mint State coin is the highest grade. You can find the exact value of your coin by checking the grading guide.

The grading scale for the 1920 Buffalo Nickel ranges from 1 to 70, with each number representing a specific grade. Here's a breakdown of the grading scale:

By understanding the grading guides, you can accurately determine the value of your 1920 Buffalo Nickel.

The condition of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel is crucial in determining its value. A coin in mint state, with no signs of wear, can fetch a significantly higher price than one that's been circulated.

The PCGS estimates that only around 2,000 uncirculated 1920 Buffalo Nickels exist, making them harder to find and more valuable. In contrast, a circulated coin can be worth as little as $1 to $10.

The grading scale is used to evaluate the condition of a coin, with higher grades indicating better preservation. For example, a coin graded MS65 is considered to be in mint state, while one graded XF45 is considered extremely fine.

Here's a rough guide to the condition of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel:

The value of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel can vary widely depending on its condition and mint mark. A circulated coin can be worth anywhere from $1 to $10, while an uncirculated example can fetch $50 to $200 or more.

In fact, a 1920 S Buffalo Nickel in mint state (MS+) condition can bring as much as $2,500 at auction, while a 1920 D Buffalo Nickel in the same condition can fetch up to $3,500.

Mistakes in grading and valuation can be costly and time-consuming to correct, so it's essential to be aware of common errors to avoid.

A common mistake is misidentifying a coin's mint mark, which can significantly impact its value.

For example, a 1943 Lincoln cent with a "D" mint mark can be worth up to $10,000, but without the mint mark, it's only worth its face value.

Incorrectly attributing a coin's rarity can also lead to overvaluation.

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The value and rarity of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel can vary greatly depending on its condition and mint mark. In general, a circulated 1920 Buffalo Nickel can be worth around $1 to $10.

A 1920 no mint mark Buffalo Nickel graded XF45 is valued by the PCGS at around $30. This is a significant increase from the lower end of the circulated price range.

In uncirculated condition, a 1920 no mint mark Buffalo Nickel can be worth significantly more, with values ranging from $85 at MS60 to $650 at MS65.

The 1920 No Mint Mark Buffalo Nickel is a relatively rare coin, with only around 8,000 surviving in all grades today.

Its rarity is reflected in its value, with a coin graded XF45 valued at around $30 by the PCGS.

In uncirculated condition, the coin is even rarer, with only around 2,000 believed to still exist, making it harder to find and more valuable.

The PCGS estimates that only around 300 of these coins survive in gem condition, graded 65 or above, which is valued at an impressive $650.

The finest coins to have been certified by the PCGS are two examples graded MS67+, each valued at an impressive $25,000.

The value of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel can vary widely based on its condition and mint mark.

In general, a circulated 1920 Buffalo Nickel can be worth around $1 to $10.

A circulated 1920 D Buffalo Nickel, graded 3, is worth around $15, while the same grade from the San Francisco Mint is worth just under half that, at $8.

Even in poor condition, a 1920 D Buffalo Nickel can command double figures, with a graded 3 worth around $15.

In mint state, prices for a 1920 D Buffalo Nickel start at $900, while a gem coin is worth at least $5,750.

A 1920 S Buffalo Nickel in certified mint state (MS+) condition can bring as much as $2,500 at auction.

A circulated 1920 Buffalo Nickel can be worth around $1 to $10, while uncirculated examples can fetch $50 to $200 or more.

Uncirculated Buffalo nickels, like a 1920 D Buffalo Nickel, are extremely rare, with only around 800 such coins believed to remain in existence.

The value of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel in Average Circulated (AC) condition can range from $1 to $10, depending on the mint mark.

A 1920 D Buffalo Nickel in Average Circulated (AC) condition is worth around $10, while a 1920 S Buffalo Nickel is worth around $5.25.

In mint state, a 1920 D Buffalo Nickel can be worth up to $3,500 at auction, while a 1920 S Buffalo Nickel can bring up to $2,500.

The rarity of a 1920 Buffalo Nickel can greatly impact its value, with some mint state coins selling for tens of thousands of dollars.

A Lincoln Cent Planchet is a planchet intended for a Lincoln cent that somehow found its way into the coin presses and was stamped with a different design.

This rare type of Mint error is highly desirable to collectors.

It's worth noting that the planchet was so much smaller than usual, resulting in a large part of the design being missing from the edges.

The bronze color of the planchet also made this Buffalo nickel unlike any other.

In fact, one such error occurred in a 1920 Buffalo nickel struck in Philadelphia.

It was graded MS61 by the PCGS and was in uncirculated condition.

This rare coin was sold at auction in 2014 and fetched an impressive $4,400.

The 1920 Buffalo nickel has had its fair share of errors, and one of them is being struck on a planchet intended for a cent. This resulted in a unique and valuable coin.

In fact, one such example was graded MS64 brown by the PCGS. It was in excellent condition and sold for over $12,000 at auction.

The value of a 1920 Buffalo nickel can vary greatly depending on its condition.

In circulated condition, a 1920 D Buffalo nickel graded 3 is worth around $15, while the same grade for a 1920 S Buffalo nickel is worth just under half that, at $8.

A coin's condition is crucial in determining its value. The system evaluates the coin and determines a Grade allowing for an agreeable value.

In uncirculated condition, a 1920 D Buffalo nickel is worth at least $900, while a 1920 S Buffalo nickel is worth at least $975.

The rarity of a coin can also impact its value. Fewer than 10 million 1920 D Buffalo nickels were ever produced, and only around 4,500 survivors exist at all grades.

The San Francisco Mint facility struck around 250,000 more Buffalo nickels in 1920 than its Denver cousin, resulting in a slightly higher mintage of 9.7 million coins.

A 1920 S Buffalo nickel graded MS65 is valued at $12,500, while a 1920 D Buffalo nickel graded MS65+ is worth $42,500, and only one coin has been graded higher.

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If you're collecting 1920 buffalo nickels, condition is everything - collectors and dealers judge the condition of old buffalo nickels very carefully.

The condition of a coin determines its value, with uncirculated coins being the most desirable and valuable. Uncirculated coins have never been used in circulation and retain their original surfaces with no signs of wear.

In uncirculated condition, around 2,000 1920 no mint mark Buffalo nickels are believed to still exist, making them rarer than any of the Philadelphia mintages from 1914 to 1919, with the exception of 1918.

A 1920 no mint mark Buffalo nickel graded XF45 is valued by the PCGS at around $30, while one graded MS60 is valued at $85, and one graded MS65 is valued at $650.

In gem condition, coins graded 65 or above are extremely rare, with only around 300 survivors estimated to exist, according to the PCGS.

The finest coins to have been certified by the PCGS are two examples graded MS67+, and each of those is valued at an impressive $25,000.