1917 (S) Buffalo Nickel

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1917

Denomination

Nickel

Mint Mark

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Mintage

4,193,000

Composition

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Weight

Diameter

21.2mm

Edge

Plain

Value Estimates

$38 - $1,936

Values as of May 2026, from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized: $138,000
Sold: 1 July 2008
Grade: MS67
Auction house: Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1917 (S) Buffalo Nickel is a nickel minted at the San Francisco Mint, within the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series. With a mintage of 4.2 million, this is a less common issue — the lowest mintage among 3 mint variants, representing only 6% of total production. The obverse features a Native American portrait that James Earle Fraser described as a composite of several chiefs, including Iron Tail (Lakota) and Two Moons (Cheyenne), and the reverse displays an American bison, traditionally identified as Black Diamond of New York's Central Park menagerie, standing on flat ground. Minted during and after World War I, as America emerged as a global power and experienced the prosperity of the Roaring Twenties. The San Francisco Mint, a Gold Rush-era institution, now specializes in proof and collector coinage. Estimated market value ranges from $38 to $1.9K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3936.