Buffalo Nickel Overview
- 1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Fine Condition
- 1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Today
- 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel Price
CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1937 D Buffalo Nickel value at an average of $1.75, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $50.
Officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo Nickel as it is more commonly known was minted between 1913 and 1938. Embraced by most consumers at the time, the Buffalo Nickel is considered one of the most beautiful coins minted by the US mint.
- USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1937-D Buffalo Nickel is Worth $1.63 in Average Condition and can be Worth $34 to $45 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins.
- There are, however, two varieties that should be on any Buffalo nickel enthusiast’s wish list. The first, and perhaps most famous of Buffalo nickel varieties, is the 1937-D 3-legged Buffalo nickel. This coin arose from the inadvertent effects of die polishing, and is worth from $600 to $1,000 in the lower circulated grades.
James Earle Fraser, a sculptor at the time, was the designer of both the obverse and reverse of the coin. Fraser’s design was embraced by the mint and approved in 1912, but was not put into production until 1913. This was due to several coin-operated machine companies voicing complaints that the nickel could not be detected by their mechanisms.
Casino club bonus. Despite these complaints, production of the Buffalo Nickel started in 1913 and featured a bust of a Native American facing right with the word “Liberty” on the obverse.
The reverse design has a depiction of the American Bison standing on a hill with the words “United States of America” above and “Five Cents’ below. The reverse design was changed mid-way through 1913 when Fraser removed the hill that the bison was standing on to help prolong the coin’s life in circulation.
The Buffalo Nickel weighs 5 grams and has a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin has a 21.2mm diameter and has no reeding along it’s edges.
History of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel
The 1937 Buffalo Nickel was the second-to-last nickel to be minted in the series and was the last Buffalo Nickel to be minted at the Philadelphia mint. During 1937, the Philadelphia mint produced 79,485,769 examples, the second highest amount produced in one year. 1936 was the only year to have Buffalo Nickel production above 100 million pieces.
Like all other buffalo nickels, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel suffered from easy wear in circulation, leading to the date and mintmark to be easily removed. This has resulted in many buffalo nickels, including the 1937 nickel, having lower quality.
Due to the large amount minted, 1937 buffalo nickels can be found in better conditions because of limited time in circulation. This means that most 1937 buffalo nickels in higher grades are much cheaper than those produced in the mid and early 1920s.
Grading 1937 and Other Buffalo Nickels
Since the value of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel is heavily dependent on its condition, knowing what grade your coin is in will help you determine the price.
Here are some simple rules to follow to help grade your coin:
Good 4 - Date is readable, but some numbers may be very light or worn away. Most details are worn away on the obverse and reverse, including the Bison’s tail. Rims are completely worn away.
Fine 12 - Similar to good but has a general increase in the number of details. Rims are mainly intact and the date is full. Half of the bison’s tail can be seen.
Extra Fine 45 - A coin that was not in circulation for a long time. Has almost full detail and a good amount of luster present. Bison’s tail is full but may have a small amount of wear.
Uncirculated 60 - Shows no signs of circulation and all details on the obverse and reverse are sharp. Full mint luster is still present. Bison’s tail is full and sharp with no wear present.
Most 1937 Buffalo Nickels will be in either Good 4 or Fine 12 condition due to their heavy use in circulation. Some 1937 Buffalo Nickels may be in Uncirculated condition and should be taken to a coin dealer for further inspection and a second opinion.
Since the value of uncirculated 1937 Buffalo Nickels is relatively low, sending uncirculated examples to be graded by a third party grader should only be done if the coin is in MS-65 condition or higher. Royal ace no deposit bonus codes 2020.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value
Due to the massive amount minted and the heavy wear on most examples, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel holds only a small value for those coins not in Uncirculated condition.
1937 Buffalo Nickels in Good 4 condition are worth about $1, while those in Fine 12 condition are valued at $2. Most examples of 1937 Buffalo Nickels will fall into either of these price points.
Even 1937 Buffalo Nickels in Extra Fine 45 condition are only worth $4.
Uncirculated examples graded MS-60 are worth $16 and those in MS-66 jump to $68. Few coins have been graded at MS-67 or higher.
Even with low values, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel still sees great demand among collectors, due to the coins pleasing design and potential future value. As more people engage in coin collecting, the prices of entry coins like the 1937 Buffalo Nickel will continue to rise.
Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90
Today the 1937 nickel value begins at $.50 cents each. The price is for a heavily worn coin, in what is known as 'Good' condition.
However, the 1937 nickel is famous because of an interesting and rare variety where the buffalo has only three legs. Find below a description and close up view to help identify this valuable coin.
Two more important elements change how much your buffalo nickel is worth. First mintmarks, they indicate the mint that produced the coin and are valued separately.
Secondly, consider the condition of your coins. The 'Uncirculated' 1937 nickel pictured is highly prized by rare coin dealers and collectors because of condition. Huge swings in value follow the better condition coins.
An exciting year with many variables, such as date, mintmarks and the elusive 3 Legged variety contributing to 1937 nickel value.
The chart separates values according Condition and the Mints that produced the coin.
A listing of '1937-D' is a coin minted in Denver, they used a 'D' as a mark.
An 'S' is the mintmark used by the San Francisco mint. These two mints placed their mintmark on the reverse below the buffalo. The third mint to strike Buffalo nickels, Philadelphia, did not use a mintmark.
| 1937 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1937 Nickel Value Updated | 2021 | |||
| 1937 | $0.51 | $1.05 | $2.44 | $19 |
| 1937 D | $0.51 | $1.03 | $2.82 | $20 |
| 1937 D 3 Leg | $232 | $270 | $428 | $1,107 |
| 1937 S | $0.51 | $1.27 | $3.41 | $18 |
Finding the 1937-D 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel
Notice the right front leg of the buffalo is missing!
A very distinctive mint made error once you have seen it, the 3 Legged Buffalo variety is popular with collectors and considered necessary to complete a collection. These are two powerful forces driving the value of the 1937-D 3 Leg Buffalo nickel.
The 3 Legged variety is found on nickels minted at the Denver mint. Locate the 'D' mintmark, identifying the mint, below the buffalo under the 'Five Cents.'Excessive die polishing is believed as the reason too much metal was removed causing the buffalo's leg to vanish. Before the mint realized the error a few thousand had been released into circulation.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Fine Condition
Back in the day many of these now valuable nickels circulated freely, the result is 3 legged buffalo nickels are found today showing all degrees of wear. They can turn up in any box of old coins.
In the later years of the buffalo nickel series greater numbers of coins were saved, both from circulation and new from the banks. With many to choose from and many in better condition, collectors favor the high grade buffalos. It takes a very nice coin to break away from being worth a dollar.
Condition Determines 1937 Nickel Value
Uncirculated: A 1937 buffalo nickel in this condition stands out as a superior coin. It never circulated, therefore its surfaces show no signs of wear. Handle coins in Uncirculated condition by their edges to preserve their surfaces. Rotate the coin under a light, examine the cheek of the Indian and upper back of the buffalo for signs of wear, appearing as dullness on the high spots.
Extremely Fine: This coin shows evidence of use but was collected from circulation before to much wear took place. A nice looking coin with abundant detail, although the hair braid is reduced and shows some loss of detail, and on the reverse the small details along the buffalo's back have begun to wear.
Fine: Additional wear has reduced the major details and eliminated the finer points of design. Obvious loss of sharpness and an overall smoothness is evident on the entire surface of the coin.
Good: The date is readable, however parts of the numbers are often merged. The rim is no longer separated from the tops of the letters. The roundness of the design to the buffalo has become flat on the hip, stomach, shoulder and head. This coin is at the low side of 1937 nickel value.
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Buffalo Nickel Value
1913 to 1938
1913 | 1919 | 1926 | 1934 |
1914 | 1920 | 1927 | 1935 |
1915 | 1921 | 1928 | 1936 |
1916 | 1923 | 1929 | 1937 |
1917 | 1924 | 1930 | 1938 |
1918 | 1925 | 1931 |
Check all your buffalo nickel values with the coin value chart and separate the common from the rare. Rising prices, increasing demand from both collectors and rare coin dealers requires a second look at your coins.
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all old US coin values. It links to coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, images to judge the all important condition of coins, and a guide to getting the best deal if selling coins.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Today
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3 Legged Buffalo Nickel Price
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