Buffalo Nickel Date Location Identification and Value

The Buffalo Nickel is a beloved coin, and understanding its date, location, and value can be a fun and rewarding experience.

The Buffalo Nickel was minted from 1913 to 1938, and the date of the coin is a crucial factor in determining its value.

Mint marks on the coin can also help identify its location of origin.

The most common mint marks are "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco, and "P" for Philadelphia.

A coin's condition, rarity, and demand can all impact its value.

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Identifying Buffalo nickel date locations can be a fun and rewarding experience for collectors.

There are three different mints that struck Buffalo nickels throughout the series, spanning from 1913 to 1938.

In most years, all three mints produced nickels, making it essential to identify both the date and mint of each coin.

Mintmarks on the Denver and San Francisco issues identify the mint, while Philadelphia did not place a mintmark on their production.

Collectors often assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year, which can drive values above the minimum base value.

Availability and scarcity of a year and mintmark combination significantly impact the value of a Buffalo nickel.

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The year-date on a Buffalo nickel is a crucial detail for collectors and enthusiasts. It's located on the shoulder of the Indian Head, just above the miniature "F" inscription for designer James Earle Fraser.

The date can also be partially missing, but the final two digits are usually still visible, making it easier to determine the issue year. Buffalo nickels were minted from 1913 to 1938, so the first two digits will always be "19."

A rare example is the 1916/16 Buffalo Nickel, which features a Doubled Die Variety. This coin showcases clear doubling in various areas, including the date, chin, feathers, throat, and lips of the Native American chief.

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Some Buffalo nickels appear to have no date, but it's not because the US Mint forgot to put one on. The numbers wore away over time due to excessive handling and circulation.

The design flaw in the mint's execution of the Buffalo nickel design contributed to the issue. Charles Barber, the U.S. Mint Chief Engraver, was less than enthusiastic about replacing his own nickel design.

The location of the date on the coin made it prone to wear. It was placed near one of the higher relief portions of the design, so the numerals wore away quickly.

The widespread use of nickels in commerce meant that their features wore away more quickly than larger denominations like half dollars and silver dollars.

Mint marks can greatly contribute to a coin's appeal, especially if they're from a notable era or depict a significant event. Coins with limited mintage or those that are scarce in the market tend to be more sought after.

The Buffalo nickel was produced by three different mints: the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark), the Denver Mint (D), and the San Francisco Mint (S). This variety can make collecting Buffalo nickels interesting and challenging.

Coins that are historically significant, such as those from a notable era or depicting a significant event, tend to attract the collector's interest and drive up demand. They can also increase in value over time.

If you're looking for a Buffalo nickel with no mint mark, it was likely struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which produced over 900 million nickels. Many collectors find these coins appealing, and they're often more affordable than other varieties.

The Philadelphia Mint did not place mintmarks on Buffalo nickels, so a coin without a mint mark on the reverse is a good indicator that it was struck there.

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The year-date on a Buffalo nickel is a crucial piece of information that can help you determine its value and authenticity. The year-date will always be located on the shoulder of the Indian Head, just above the miniature "F" inscription for designer James Earle Fraser.

You can find the year-date in the bottom-left corner of the coin, and it's often complete, but sometimes partial dates are more common. The first two digits of the date will always be "19" since Buffalo nickels were minted from 1913 to 1938.

Dateless Buffalo nickels do exist, but they all have an underlying date that can be revealed with some effort.

The 1916 Doubled Die Buffalo Nickel is a rare find, with only about 200 specimens certified by PCGS. It's a highly sought-after variety, with clear doubling in areas like the date, chin, and feathers on the Native American chief's hair.

The doubling is most prominent in the "16" numerals of the "1916" date, making it easy to identify the genuine doubled die. However, there are other 1916 Buffalo Nickels with less valuable forms of doubling.

Even lower-end specimens graded G4 can fetch around $5,000, while mid-circulated grades like VF20 can command prices of $15,000. PCGS estimates that only ten examples exist in uncirculated grades, making them extremely scarce.

Some other rare Buffalo Nickels include the 1913-S Type I, which retails for around $50 in Good condition, and the 1916 Doubled-Die Obverse, which can bring in at least $3,500 in Good condition.

Here's a breakdown of some rare Buffalo Nickels:

These are just a few examples of the many rare and special nickels out there, each with its own unique characteristics and values.

Dating a Buffalo Nickel can be a challenge, especially when it comes to identifying the date. A bold date, fully raised, is a defining feature of the Extremely Fine grade, where all digits of the date are clear and well raised.

The date on a Buffalo Nickel is a high relief design, sitting well above the field of the coin. This makes it more susceptible to wear, and many surviving nickels have partial dates. The "19" of the date often wears away first, leaving just faint impressions of the last two digits.

Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light can help identify a faint digit or two. Magnification is almost a must to use, especially when trying to spot the decade digit or year digit.

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Detecting Faded Dates can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can identify even the faintest impressions of a date. Most elements on a Buffalo nickel sit well above the field, including the date, which is often one of the highest areas on the surface.

The "19" of the date often wears away first, leaving just faint impressions of the last two digits. Closest protection to the date is the rim below and knot in hair braid above.

Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light helps identify a faint digit or two. Many times, the decade digit is just visible, a difference in the "1" | "2" | "3" is recognizable. A faint year digit is usually the difficult one to see.

Slowly tilt the angle to the light to bring out subtle detail. If identity of date is uncertain the coin is falling below the Good grade and value.

A bold date, fully raised is a defining feature of the Extremely Fine grade.

A clear and well-raised date is essential to identify Extremely Fine grade coins. You can check if the date is fully separated from the trailing end of the tie holding the braid of hair.

Light wear has flattened only the upper areas of fur on the reverse side of the coin.

On Extremely Fine grade coins, the majority of the buffalo's fur details remain. A distinct line remains separating the buffalo's back with the line of fur along the upper leg to the upper back.

Flatness is limited to the forward area of the buffalo's leg. This is a key characteristic of Extremely Fine grade coins.

The majority of the buffalo's horn is visible on Extremely Fine grade coins. On well-struck examples, the horn is complete with the tip well defined.

The 1913-S Buffalo Nickel is a rare find, with a price tag of $50 for the Mound variety. It's a good starting point for collectors.

The 1913-D Type 2 Regular Strike is another highly sought-after coin, with a rarity similar to early Denver and San Francisco issues. Most examples are well-struck.

Here are some key dates and prices for Buffalo Nickels:

The 1916 Doubled Die Buffalo Nickel is exceptionally rare, with only about 200 specimens graded and encapsulated by PCGS.

Now that we've identified the date and mintmark combination, let's dive deeper into what this means for our Buffalo nickel collection.

Three different mints struck Buffalo nickels throughout the series. The key is to identify both the date and mint of each coin.

Collectors typically assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year. This can drive values above the minimum base value.

Availability and scarcity of a specific year and mintmark combination greatly impact its value.

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The 1913-D Type 2 Regular Strike is a low-mintage key date, with most examples being well-struck.

This coin is more common than the 1913-S but is one of the most difficult Buffalo nickels to find in circulated conditions.

Its rarity is about equal to most early Denver and San Francisco issues in mint state and Gem condition.

The auction record for this coin was set in 2008, when it sold for $143,750.

The 1916 Doubled Die Nickel is one of the rarest and most sought-after varieties within its series. This coin is exceptional due to its clear and unmistakable doubling in various areas.

The doubling is predominantly observed on the primary design elements, with the most prominent doubling found in the "16" numerals of the "1916" date. The Native American chief depicted on the coin also shows doubling in his chin, feathers on his hair, throat, and lips.

Collectors can easily identify the genuine doubled die, but it's essential to note that there are other 1916 Buffalo Nickels with less valuable forms of doubling. This highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of the coin.

PCGS has certified approximately 200 specimens of this ultra-rare coin, with most of them in circulated grades, ranging from VG8 to XF40. Uncirculated grades are extremely scarce.

Prices for the 1916 Doubled Die Nickel span a wide spectrum, with even lower-end specimens graded G4 fetching around $5,000.

The 1924-S Regular Strike is a highly sought-after coin, and for good reason. It's a scarce date, especially in mint state and Gem condition.

Only around three dozen Gem examples are known, according to PCGS. This scarcity, combined with its unique rusted look, makes it a crucial date in the Buffalo coin series.

The auction record for this key date was broken in 2016 when an MS66+ coin sold for an incredible $105,750. An MS66 exemplar sold for $109,250 in 2006 at Heritage Auctions.

In Gem MS65 condition, the 1924-S Regular Strike is nearly as scarce as the 1920-S, 1925-S, and 1926-S.