Buffalo Nickel Value No Date: are “S”, “D”, No mint mark worth money?

Buffalo Nickels, also known as Indian Head Nickels, are numismatic treasures highly sought after by collectors, minted by the United States Mint between 1913 and 1938.

If you want to know more about the value of a buffalo nickel with no date, as well as about this coin’s history, errors, and more, continue reading!

Buffalo Nickel No Date Details

• Category – Buffalo nickels
• Mints – Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
• Total mintage – 1.2 billion
• Obverse designer – James Earle Fraser
• Reverse designer – James Earle Fraser
• Composition – 75% copper; 25% nickel
• Weight – 5 grams, (0.176 ounces)
• Diameter – 1.2 millimeters (0.835 inches)

The no-date Buffalo nickel is a beautiful variant of the Indian Head nickel, known and interesting because of the absence of the date on the obverse side of the coin. The root cause of this anomaly is a topic of considerable speculation among collectors.

Some think that the absence of the date is caused by suboptimal die strikes and misalignment of the dies. On the other hand, many believe that the absence of the date was intentional.

No matter the reason for the absence of the date, this Buffalo nickel has captured the imagination of numismatic enthusiasts, gaining recognition as a fascinating and valuable coin with several distinct varieties.

The FIVE CENTS type has an inscription of the denomination on the reverse side, and has considerable value and desirability despite the conspicuous absence of the date.

The Full Horn variety, with a fully visible buffalo horn on the reverse, is an especially rare and sought-after subtype that collectors especially admire.

The value of the no-date Buffalo Nickel is influenced by numerous factors, including its state of preservation, rarity, and market demand.

Coins in suboptimal condition may fetch only a few cents, whereas an uncirculated or nearly flawless specimen can be sold for prices of several hundred dollars or more.

The no-date Buffalo Nickel is a captivating and valuable coin that occupies a distinctive place in numismatic history. As a collector or enthusiast, you are likely to find the no-date variant especially compelling, thanks to its scarcity, historical significance, and diverse characteristics.

The Buffalo Nickel design was introduced in 1913 and remained in production until 1938. During that time, more than 1.2 billion Buffalo Nickels were minted, making them a beloved and enduring symbol of American numismatic history.

It was minted during a time of significant change in America, including the end of World War I, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. These historical events make the Buffalo Nickel a fascinating relic of the past.

Also Read: 15 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

Buffalo Nickel No Date Value Chart

	Buffalo Nickel No Date No Mint Mark Value	Buffalo Nickel No Date S Mint Mark Value	Buffalo Nickel No Date D Mint Mark Value
Poor	$0.10-$1	$0.10-$1	$0.10-$1
Fair	$1-$2.50	$1.50-$4.50	$1.50-$4.50
About Good	$2.50-$5.50	$4.50-$8.50	$4.50-$8.50
Good	$5-$15	$8-$30	$8-$30
Very Good	$15-$25	$30-$75	$30-$75
Fine	$25-$45	$75-$150	$75-$150
Very Fine	$45-$65	$150-$225	$150-$225
Extremely Fine	$65-$150	$225-$500	$225-$500
About Uncirculated	$150-$500	$500-$750	$500-$750
Mint State (60-63)	$500-$1000	$750-$1500	$750-$1500
Mint State (64+)	$1000+	$1500+	$1500+

Buffalo Nickel No Date Value & Varieties Guide

Buffalo nickel was produced for decades in different locations across the United States, so let’s look into this coin’s varieties and their values.

Buffalo Nickel No Date No Mint Mark Value

• Type – Buffalo nickel
• Edge – plain
• Mint mark – no mint mark
• Place of minting – Philadelphia
• Year of minting – 1913-1938
• Face value – 5 cents
• Price – $0.10 – $1000+
• Quantity produced – 10 000 000
• Designer – James Earle Fraser
• Composition – 75% copper; 25% nickel
• Mass – 5 grams
• Diameter – 21.2 millimeters

Despite its current status as a prized and valuable subtype of the Buffalo Nickel series, it is intriguing to note that the no date no mint mark variety was initially overlooked and undervalued by collectors.

This is largely due to the design’s high production, which caused the date to often become worn or obscured, resulting in a relatively common occurrence of the no-date variety.

However, with the passage of time and the evolution of numismatic knowledge, collectors eventually recognized the rarity and uniqueness of the no-date variety, leading to its heightened demand and increased prices.

Today, the Buffalo nickel with no date and no mint mark stands out as one of the most sought-after and valuable coins of its series, with coins in exceptional condition reaching prices in the thousands of dollars at prestigious auctions.

Buffalo Nickel No Date S Mint Mark Value

• Type – Buffalo nickel
• Edge – plain
• Mint mark – S
• Place of minting – San Francisco
• Year of minting – 1913-1938
• Face value – 5 cents
• Price – $0.10 – $1500+
• Quantity produced – 76,416,000
• Designer – James Earle Fraser
• Composition – 75% copper; 25% nickel
• Mass – 5 grams
• Diameter – 21.2 millimeters

One little-known fact about the Buffalo nickel with no date and S mint mark is that it is the rarest of the three no-date varieties.

The “S” mint mark indicates that the coin was minted at the San Francisco Mint, and it is believed that the no-date S mint mark variety may have been produced as a result of die preparation or maintenance issues at the mint.

It is estimated that only a few thousand examples of the Buffalo nickel with no date and S mint mark were produced, making it a highly sought-after and valuable coin among collectors.

Examples in excellent condition have been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. Despite its rarity, the no-date S Mint Mark variety is still somewhat underappreciated and often overlooked by collectors, making it a potentially lucrative addition to any collection.

Buffalo Nickel No Date D Mint Mark Value

• Type – Buffalo nickel
• Edge – plain
• Mint mark – D
• Place of minting – Denver
• Year of minting – 1913-1938
• Face value – 5 cents
• Price – $0.10 – $1500+
• Quantity produced – 21,620,000
• Designer – James Earle Fraser
• Composition – 75% copper; 25% nickel
• Mass – 5 grams
• Diameter – 21.2 millimeters

Despite the Buffalo Nickel’s enduring popularity, the variety with no date and D mint mark was not recognized as a valuable subtype by collectors until the mid-20th century.

At that time, collectors began to appreciate the rarity and uniqueness of this coin, driving up demand and prices accordingly. Today, examples in excellent condition can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.

An interesting fact about the Buffalo Nickel No Date D Mint Mark is that its origins are not entirely clear.

While it is believed that the missing date may have been the result of weak die strikes or improper alignment of the dies, the true cause of the variety remains a subject of debate among numismatists.

Despite this mystery, the No Date D Mint Mark variety remains a highly prized coin among collectors and a fascinating piece of American history.

Also Read: Top 110 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

Buffalo Nickel No Date History

The Buffalo nickel with no date, also known as the “Type 2” variety, has a fascinating history that stretches back over a century.

The coin was first minted in 1913, as part of a new series of coins commissioned by the United States government. The Buffalo Nickel was designed to replace the old Liberty Head Nickel, which had been in circulation for over 25 years.

The new Buffalo Nickel featured a bold, striking design, with a portrait of a Native American chief on the obverse and an image of an American bison on the reverse.

The coin was the design of James Earle Fraser, a talented sculptor who had previously worked on several high-profile projects, including the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

Fraser’s design for the Buffalo Nickel was inspired by his childhood memories of the American West, and it quickly became one of the most iconic and beloved coin designs in American history.

However, despite its popularity, the Buffalo Nickel had a problem – the high relief of the design made the date and mint mark susceptible to wear and tear.

This meant that many of the early Buffalo nickels had their dates either partially or fully rubbed off, leading to the creation of the no-date variety.

At first, the no-date Buffalo nickel was not considered a distinct subtype by collectors, and it was only later recognized as a rare and valuable variety.

Today, the Buffalo Nickel No Date is highly sought after by collectors, with some examples in excellent condition being priced at thousands of dollars at auction.

One more interesting and lesser-known aspect of the history of the Buffalo nickel with no date is its connection to the Great Depression.

During this tumultuous period in American history, many people were struggling to make ends meet and the value of coins, including the Buffalo Nickel, became more important than ever.

In response to the high demand for coins, many businesses began hoarding them or melting them down for their metal content, leading to a severe shortage of coins in circulation.

As a result, the government authorized the production of new Buffalo nickels in 1937, nearly five years after the series had officially ended.

However, due to the economic constraints of the time, the new nickels were produced with a much lower level of detail and quality than earlier issues, and many of them lacked the date and mint mark due to a rushed production process.

These nickels, including the Buffalo nickel with no date variety, are a poignant reminder of the economic struggles faced by many Americans during the Great Depression and the innovative measures taken by the government to address them.

Buffalo Nickel No Date Grading

Grading services use various methods to evaluate Buffalo nickels with no date, such as wear of high points and sharpness of design elements.

The former method assesses the coin’s horn and hair, while the latter evaluates the feathers and lines. Grading ultimately determines the coin’s value in the market.

Buffalo Nickel No Date Lists of Errors

The Buffalo nickel no-date series has a variety of errors and varieties that are popular among collectors. Let’s explore some of them.

1. Buffalo nickel no date dateless strike

The most common error is the dateless strike, which occurs when the date is not fully visible due to wear, striking problems, or an improperly prepared die. These coins are typically worth less than those with visible dates, but can still be collectible in certain circumstances.

2. Buffalo nickel no date weak strike

Another common error is the weak strike, which occurs when the design details are not fully struck up due to insufficient pressure or worn dies. These coins can exhibit areas of flatness or missing details, which can make them less desirable to collectors.

However, coins with strong strikes are highly sought after and can reach high prices.

3. Buffalo nickel no date double die

Double dies are also a popular variety among Buffalo nickel varieties.

This error occurs when the coin is struck with a die that has a double impression, resulting in a design that appears slightly off-center or with doubled features. These coins are highly sought after and can reach significantly high prices, especially in higher grades.

4. Buffalo nickel no date die crack

Finally, die cracks are another type of error that can affect Buffalo Nickels. These cracks occur in the dies used to strike the coins, resulting in raised lines or anomalies in the design.

While these coins are not as valuable as double dies, they can still be collectible and are sought after by die variety collectors.

In conclusion, the Buffalo Nickel No Date series offers a wide range of errors and varieties for collectors to pursue. Whether it’s a dateless strike, weak strike, double die or die crack, each of these errors adds character and uniqueness to the coin.

While some errors may be worth more than others, they all offer an opportunity for collectors to add a rare and valuable piece to their collections.

Buffalo Nickel No Date FAQ

What is the value of a Buffalo Nickel No Date?

The value of a Buffalo Nickel No Date varies depending on its condition and type. An ungraded, circulated coin may be worth around $1-2, while a certified and high-grade example can sell for thousands of dollars at auction.

The rarity and historical significance of this coin contributes to its desirability among collectors.

How can I tell if I have a Buffalo Nickel No Date?

To determine if you have a Buffalo Nickel No Date, examine the obverse (front) of the coin for the absence of a date above the buffalo’s shoulder. The reverse (back) should display the denomination, FIVE CENTS, below the buffalo.

Look for any signs of a mint mark on the reverse, such as a D for Denver or an S for San Francisco, indicating the location of the coin’s production.