Value of Old Nickels: Buffalo, Liberty Head, Jefferson, Mint Marks and Condition
Evaluate old nickel value by documenting type, date, mint mark, grade, surface, wartime silver, errors, photos, and condition.
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- Separate Buffalo, Liberty Head, Jefferson, wartime silver, proof, and collection lots.
- Check date, mint mark, visible details, cleaned surfaces, and whether a holder or album is present.
- Do not assume every Buffalo nickel is rare. Grade and key dates matter.
Key value drivers
Date, mint mark, strike, visible date, horn detail on Buffalo nickels, proof status, wartime silver composition, certification, and damage all affect value.
Photo checklist
- Front, back, date, mint mark, full album, holder labels, and close-ups of wear.
- Buffalo nickel date area, horn detail, scratches, cleaning, corrosion, and color.
- Receipts, albums, grading labels, collection notes, and prior appraisals.
Related guides
Coins and currency guides, free old coin appraisal online, free coin appraisal app, free rare coin appraisal, value of old coins.
What similar items actually sold for
To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific buffalo nickel.
Shown USD range: USD 10-USD 85. Median of these 5 USD examples: USD 28.
| Comparable | What sold | Auction house | Date | Lot | Source-reported amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKELSource blocked; provenance matched | Freedom Auction Company | 2025-05-01 | 138 | USD 85 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
1917-D Buffalo Nickel, CupronickelSource blocked; provenance matched | Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer | 2026-03-09 | 106W | USD 40 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
1934 Buffalo Nickel CoinSource blocked; provenance matched | Mike Nichols Auctions | 2024-11-23 | 44 | USD 10 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
**XF+** 1931-S Buffalo NickelSource blocked; provenance matched | Big Dog Auctions | 2024-11-30 | 208 | USD 17 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
VG+ - 1914-S Indian Head Buffalo NickelSource blocked; provenance matched | Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer | 2025-11-24 | 228 | USD 28 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
How these auction records were verified
Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Live source access was blocked; the exact record matched Appraisily's immutable pipeline provenance. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.
Disclosure: prices are shown as reported by auction houses and are provided for appraisal context. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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