1918 (D) Buffalo Nickel
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$31,200 MS67 07-15-2021 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1918 (D) Buffalo Nickel is a nickel from the Denver Mint, belonging to the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series. With a mintage of 8.4 million, this is a less common issue — ranked 2nd of 4 mint variants by mintage, with 16% of production. The obverse features a composite Native American portrait combining features of three real tribal chiefs — Iron Tail (Lakota), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca) and the reverse displays an American bison (often called Black Diamond after the famous bison at the Bronx Zoo) standing on a mound. The 1918/7-D overdate — a 1917 die re-engraved for 1918 — is one of the most valuable Buffalo Nickel varieties. Coined at Denver's facility, which transitioned from processing Colorado gold rush metal to full-scale coin production in 1906. Estimated market value ranges from $38 to $1.3K 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 #3938.
External References
Error Varieties(4)
1918-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001
1918-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001
1918-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001
SKH-5c-1918D-01 Spiked Head
Other Strike Types in This Series
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