1913 Buffalo Nickel

The 1913 Buffalo nickel is an intriguing artifact from American history that has captivated the interest of numismatists and collectors all over the world. It's also one of the most identifiable coins in the world because of its distinctive design, which shows a buffalo on one side and a Native American Indian on the other.

Did you know the first Buffalo nickel was distributed during a groundbreaking ceremony held at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York, for the National American Indian Memorial? Just the year before, in 1913, sculptor James Earle Fraser created the coin's design.

The fact that the 1913 Buffalo nickel comes in six distinct varieties is among its most fascinating features. These are made up of two distinct coin designs that were produced by three US minting facilities. A 1913 Buffalo nickel's value can vary significantly based on its type, manufacturing location, and state.

Even though the Jefferson nickel took its place in 1938, the Buffalo nickel is still a treasured artifact and a well-liked collector's item. The varieties and values of 1913 Buffalo nickels will be covered in this article.

     1913 Buffalo Nickel

The 1913 Buffalo Nickel was produced in three distinct minting locations, including the Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia mints. As a result, the Buffalo nickel coins from 1913 varied.

Philadelphia Mint

• 1913 Buffalo Nickel TYPE 1

  30,992,000 1913 type I buffalo nickels were produced by the Philadelphia Mint. There was no mint mark on these nickels. Since there were so many of them, even in mint condition, they are still easily accessible today.

  Coins of this variety in average grade can be purchased for $5 to $37.50. On the other hand, a few uncommon mint state 1913 type I buffalo nickels might fetch up to $27,500.

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• 1913 Buffalo Nickel TYPE 2

  There were 29,857,186 1913 type II buffalo nickels produced by the Philadelphia Mint. It is less common for these Type 2 coins to have severely damaged dies and die clashing. Among the variations are highly desirable double dies for the front and back.

  1913 TYPE 2 Nickels in perfect, uncirculated condition can fetch up to $8750 on the open market.

Denver Mint

• 1913 Buffalo Nickel D TYPE 1

  The Denver mint produced only 5,337,000 1913 type I buffalo nickels. Because of this, these coins are still rare today. But because they were the first of their kind, they are still in great demand.

  You can typically purchase these coins in average-grade condition for $8 to $67. But a flawless rare find could set you back as much as $30,000. Beneath the words "FIVE CENTS", these coins bear a "D" mint mark.

  This mark could be found beneath the letters "E" at the end of the first word and "C" at the beginning of the second.

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• 1913 Buffalo Nickel D TYPE 2

  There were 4,156,000 1913 type II buffalo nickels produced by the Denver Mint. These coins have the same "D" mark as their counterparts in type I. You'll pay between $58 and $275 for a circulated one today.

  High-grade pristine ones can cost up to $35,000 because they are rare.

San Francisco

• 1913 Buffalo Nickel S TYPE 1

  There were 2,105,000 1913 type I buffalo nickels produced by the San Francisco Mint. Under the words "FIVE CENTS", there was a mint mark of "S" on each of these coins. This was positioned in between the first word's final "E" and the second word's initial "C."

  These typically cost between $29 and $125, and they are rare these days. They can cost up to $15,000 in mint condition.

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• 1913 Buffalo Nickel S TYPE 2

  There were 1,209,000 1913 type II buffalo nickels produced by the San Francisco Mint. They shared the same type I counterparts' "S" mint mark. Collectors like these coins, and the higher the grade, the rarer they become.

  When circulated, their typical cost ranges from $128 to $825. 1913 type II "S" buffalo nickels that are uncirculated can fetch up to $40,000.

The surface of these coins is important to consider when grading them because many full-luster pieces lack the rounded relief detail on the tail fringe or the high points of the horn. On weakly struck pieces, the date and LIBERTY will typically be faint.

The hair near the part and the high point of the Indian's cheekbones are the parts of the coin that wear the fastest. The first places to show wear on the reverse are the horn, the tail fringe, and the bison's hip.

     Buffalo Nickel 1913 TYPE 1 - Auction Record Value

A 1913 Type 1 Buffalo nickel in MS68+ condition has a record auction value of $79,313. As of April 22, 2024, PCGS estimates the value of a Proof specimen in PR68 condition, having graded 11 examples of the 1913 Type 1 Buffalo nickel.

Conversely, top PCGS-certified Type 1 Buffalo Nickel Proofs have recently sold for between $80,000 and $90,000.

Uncirculated 1913 Buffalo nickels can fetch as much as $27,500, while circulated coins are valued between $5 and $37.50. Collectors use condition, date, and mintmark to determine the value of Buffalo nickels. Wear and detail clarity should be the primary grading criteria.