Top 10 Buffalo Nickels Every Collector Should Own

By all accounts, buffalo nickels, more commonly known as Indian Head nickels, are one of the most recognizable and collectible coins in the history of American numismatics. Coins featuring a Native American profile on the obverse and a beautiful American bison on the reverse were produced from 1913 through 1938 and were minted throughout that time period. Some really neat facts about United States history and culture are found within collecting Buffalo nickels. The following article identifies the top ten Buffalo nickels you should have in your collection.

1. Type 1, 1913

What’s worth mentioning, in terms of the 1913 Buffalo nickel, is that the design changed a few times during the year. Two bison are shown on the Type 1 variant of this coin. Of these two bison, one was standing on an elevated mound. Since this version was produced for only a very short time before the design was revised, it’s highly sought after by collectors to add to their collection.

2. Type 2 Type 1913

The Type 2 Buffalo nickel, also minted in 1913, shows an improved reverse design with the bison standing on a flat ground platform instead of on a hill. This modification was put forward to address concerns over the survivability of the coin. Both types from this year should be acquired through collection in order to understand how the design came about.

3. 1916 Double Die Stamp Obverse

Out of all the errors in the series of Buffalo nickels, perhaps the most desirable of them is the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse. This particular coin has doubled the date and the profile of the Native American to a larger-than-normal size. Such a curious and rare treasure would be a proud addition to any serious collector’s collection.

4. The 1918/7-D Date Is Late

The 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel is a well-known example of a misprinted coin where, in the date, the number 7 is overstamped by an 8. It is such a prominent error and can be seen without magnification, thus quite an interesting and real prize to add to any collection.

5. The year 1921-S

The 1921-S had only 1,557,000 Buffalo nickels struck, making it one of the coins with lower mintages compared to the remaining ones in the series. This piece, specifically because of its rarity and the fact that it was struck during a period when the United States was facing the ‘hard times’ economically, is of great interest to the piece collectors who would wish to purchase it.

6. The year 1924-S

The second significant date coin belongs to the 1924-S Buffalo nickel minted only 1,437,000 times. This is hard to find in a fine grade, and that very fact gives it appeal to the collectors, thus increasing its worth.

7. 1926-S

The 1926-S Buffalo nickel just happens to be one of the rarest in this series, especially in high grades. Because the total mintage count is very low at 970,000, the coin is in demand by collectors who feel it is quite elusive for completing their sets.

8. 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo;

Excessive die polishing in the amount that removed one of the bison’s legs resulted in the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel, which is the most famous Buffalo nickel error. This is a highly visible flaw and one of the most in demand by collectors.

9. A double die reverse was used in 1935.

Specifically, a great amount of doubling is evident in the labels on the reverse “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “FIVE CENTS” of the 1935 Doubled Die Reverse Buffalo nickel. This mistake brings value and intrigue to the coin and makes it a collectible that error collectors should pursue to complete their set.

10. 1940-D (tenth)

The 1938-D Buffalo nickel was the last year for the series and was only produced by the Denver Mint. This coin ended the reign of the Buffalo nickel series and was issued with a mintage of 7,020,000—a final piece of the collection and most affordable of all but still quite significantly vital. Many collectors seek this coin just to complete their collections.

Final Thoughts

What makes the Buffalo nickel series fascinating is the rich history, many design revisions, and some very rare flaws associated with these coins. The top 10 Buffalo nickels on the following list provide a good starting point for building a valuable as well as an enjoyable collection, whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or just an avid collector. Numismatics is a rich tapestry in the United States, and every coin has a tale of its own to tell in all directions toward that fabric. Happy collecting!