1937 Buffalo Nickel Value

Posted : admin On 7/28/2022

1937: $1: $1.75: $3: $9: 1937 D: $1: $1.75: $4: $10: 1937 S: $1: $1.75: $5: $9: Source: Red Book.

  1. See full list on treasurepursuits.com.
  2. Type: Buffalo Nickel Year: 1937 Mint Mark: S Face Value: 0.05 USD Total Produced: 5,635,000 Silver Content: 0% Numismatic Value: $1.75 to $100.00 Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around $1.75, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $100 at auction.
  3. 1937 D Buffalo Nickel. 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.

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
DateGoodFineExtremely
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.

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.

1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Three Legged

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.

Including more relating to your 1937 nickel value. These early Buffalo nickels are becoming valuable. Easily find how much your old coins are worth.

Covering the Nickel series from Shield nickels, Liberty, Buffalo and Jefferson nickels. All include value charts, along side grading images to find the accurate value of your old nickels.

★Coin Values Discovery... finds 1937 nickel value and...

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.

Finding Rare Nickels!

On occasion rare nickels do turn up... old better date buffalo nickels, valuable silver war nickels, even a few Jefferson nickels and others. Search your box of old coins and discover the possibilities of... Finding Rare Nickels

1937 Buffalo Nickel Value

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90


An important part of value with any old coin is condition. You can judge the condition of your old nickel yourself by following the How to Video - Grading Buffalo Nickels. Dates and mintmarks are only a part of the value process. Recognize the better grade coins to find accurately how much they are worth.

A clear bold date indicates a higher grade; ample detail along the buffalo's back also indicates a high grade. Compare your old nickels to those highlighted in the video, determine the grade of your coin and an accurate value.

Combine the grading video above with the descriptions and close-up images that follow and you can sharpen your grading skills. Take your time... grading Buffalo nickels is a process, run through it a couple of times for the best results. The difference in grades become apparent quickly.

Uncirculated Condition

Collectors strive to own these rare condition coins. The uncirculated grade describes a Buffalo nickel with no wear from use. As you rotate the coin under a light, surface wear would appear as breaks in luster, first evident just below the eye of the Indian. Note: A single light source is helpful in bringing out the radiating effect of luster.

Obverse:

  • Cheek of the Indian must retain luster.
  • Hair above the tie for the braid is still covered in original mint frost.
  • Also subject to early wear, check for signs of wear (dulling) along top of hair.

Reverse:

  • Buffalo's hip is free of wear, no signs of color change to its surface.
  • Along the top of his back is lustrous.
  • Prone to wear, the head above the horn must retain luster.

Extremely Fine Condition

Grading Buffalo nickels that have begun to wear is a matter of judging the amount of metal removed from the surface. A coin in the 'extremely fine' grade show very minor loss of metal. Although wear is noticeable, it still appears sharp and crisp to reach this grade.

Obverse:

How Much Are Buffalo Nickels Worth

  • Wear is evident across most of the Indian's hair but areas of smoothness do not connect.
  • Top of head remains with ample detail.
  • The ribbon holding the feathers only shows a slight flatness to its contours.

Reverse:

  • The Buffalo's hip shows a small but distinct flat spot with minor loss of roundness.
  • An area of slight wear is visible across his back and extending to the front leg.
  • Fur on the Buffalo's head is smooth just above the horn.

Fine Condition

Also a collectible grade for a Buffalo nickel, many dates, especially the early years are worth a premium. In the 'fine' grade your coin has a worn but pleasing appearance. With a full bold date and legends separated from the rim, clearly a strong candidate for the fine grade.

Obverse:

  • Hair above the braid, despite an overall flatness, still shows some separation of strands.
  • The edge of the feather is just beginning to merge with the hair.
  • Grading Buffalo nickels is somewhat subjective, however if there is a clear definition from the Indian's cheek and hair your coin is a strong candidate for the fine grade.

Reverse:

  • Fur on the Buffalo's head is mostly missing, although a partial horn must remain.
  • Much of the detail of the front leg is flat and beginning to connect with his shoulder.
  • In the 'fine' grade the roundness of the hip is now flat and merged with the tip of the tail.

Good Condition

This Buffalo nickel represents a coin that fits solidly in the 'good' grade. Overall heavy wear has taken a toll on the finer details; however the boldness of the design allows the deeper recesses to remain. Notice that despite a lack of the finer details, complete outlines of the Indian and Buffalo are visible. Also lettering on both the obverse and reverse is also readable.

Obverse:

1937 buffalo nickel values
  • Wear covers the entire portrait of the Indian blending the hair, cheek and parts of the feathers.
  • Often a couple of the digits of the date are partially obscured but to reach the good grade it must be readable.
  • Tops of the letters of 'Liberty' have merged with the rim.

Reverse:

  • Most of the fur detail is now gone on the head of the Buffalo, as well as the shoulder and back.
  • The horn is completely missing with perhaps a small portion of the base remaining.
  • Lettering of the legend is weak with some merging with the rim.

Accurate Grading Buffalo Nickles = Value

Approach the judging of condition conservatively to realize a fair value. Grading Buffalo nickels is subjective, especially from the point of view of the seller and the point of view of the buyer. Follow the elements outlined above in the video, images and descriptions. Very soon many of the subtle differences in condition become easier to recognize and grade.

Grading all old coins is a skill needed. Accurate value judgement relies on spotting the differences in condition. Visit the video index to more series.

1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Coin Values

With your ability to see the difference in condition and grade Buffalo nickels visit the value charts. Listing of Dates Mintmarks Condition - finds an accurate Buffalo nickel value.

★Coin Values Discovery pulls together... Grading Buffalo Nickels and...

1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Ebay

Value charts in combination with grading images to judge condition. Discover how much your old coin are worth. Get the best price if selling by knowing the accurate value of your coins.