How much is a 1935 buffalo head nickel worth

Buffalo nickel production increased significantly in 1935, with more than 80 million Buffalo nickels made that year. All three mints had resumed production of the five-cent coin, and therefore every regular-issue 1935 Buffalo nickel is considered common. However, there’s still plenty for Buffalo nickel aficionados to enjoy about 1935 nickels. In addition to the three usual varieties (1935, 1935-D, and 1935-S Buffalo nickels), there are also few die variations that will keep Buffalo collectors on their toes. 

Namely, there is the 1935 doubled die Buffalo nickel. This piece exhibits doubling on the reverse, and is worth around $50 in Good-4. Two other varieties to look for among 1935 Buffalo nickels are the 1935-D large mintmark and small mintmark Buffaloes. Neither the large- or small-mintmark Buffalo nickels are worth a considerable premium, but they make necessary acquisitions for Buffalo nickel enthusiasts.

Among the regular-issue 1935 Buffalo nickels, Philadelphia issues are the most common, with 58,264,000 made that year at the main mint. 1935-D Buffalo nickels saw the second-highest mintage that year, at 12,092,000 pieces; San Francisco came in third, with 10,300,000 pieces struck. Regular-issue 1935, 1935-D, and 1935-S Buffalo nickels can be bought for about $1 in a grade of Good-4, and for under $5 in a grade as high as Extremely Fine-40. 

For a few years of the Buffalo Nickel’s production, the tradition of having three different types of the coin went away. Luckily, that tradition was picked back up with the 1935 Nickel and that is why we find three different types of this coin produced. It is worth noting that in 1932 and 1933 no Buffalo Nickels of any type were minted.

Of course, as is true of any type of Buffalo Nickel, the 1935 edition is highly sought after by collectors. Trying to get coins in the best possible condition, collectors are constantly searching high and low for the most pristine Buffalo Nickels to add to their collection.

Grading the 1935 Buffalo Nickel

If you are a collector of coins or are familiar with collecting, you know that the condition of old coins is paramount. Despite the fact that 1935 Buffalo Nickels were minted nearly a century ago, the fact of the matter is that well-preserved pieces do exist, and are constantly being scooped up by collectors.

Normally, the process of judging the condition of a coin is best left to a professional coin grading service, but the specifications below can help you gain a good idea of what a coin of a certain grade will look like when viewed.

Uncirculated: An Uncirculated 1935 Buffalo Nickel will look as though it was just minted. These coins, after they were produced, were almost immediately placed into safekeeping and kept from any and all damage. These coins will not show any signs of damage and will shine as though they were just taken off the mint’s presses recently.

Extremely Fine: A coin receiving an Extremely Fine grade is one that saw only a short amount of time being circulated. These coins will appear pristine when first looked upon, but upon closer inspection you will see that some damage did occur during its time in circulation. All things considered, these coins appear quite fresh for having been circulating about for the past nearly 100 years.

Fine: To receive this grade, your coin will have had to been circulated for a decent amount of time. Through their time exchanging hands, these coins will have inevitably suffered some damage. Most often, you will find that the heaviest wear on these coins is found near the front legs of the buffalo or near the Indian’s cheekbone. More often than not these coins will also have had their surfaces smoothed out over the years.

Good: To receive this grade, the coin in question will have spent almost its entire lifespan in circulation. Because of this, the faces of the coin will feel smooth to the touch and much of the imagery and inscriptions will be somewhat difficult to make out. On some occasions, the coins receiving of this grade are bent and generally appear to be beaten up.

Pricing the 1935 Buffalo Nickel

For coins as old as the 1935 Buffalo Nickel, the price you will be forced to pay depends on both the type of coin and the condition. Because multiple types of Buffalo Nickels were minted most years, this is the first thing affecting the inherent value of the coin. Beyond that, collectors will have to rely on the coin’s overall condition in order to derive an accurate price. The chart below will give you a better idea of what you might pay for a graded Buffalo Nickel given its type.

1935 Buffalo Nickel

All Market Updates are provided as a third party analysis and do not necessarily reflect the explicit views of JM Bullion Inc. and should not be construed as financial advice.

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