1921 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1921 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — 9th of 23 years in the series. In 1921, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 12.2 million. This ranks 3rd of 23 years by total mintage, below the series median of 48.7 million. 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 1921-S is a key date with a mintage of only 1,557,000. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have identified 2 known die varieties for this date, including doubled die obverse. Produced 10 years before the celebrated 1931 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $5 to $3.1K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $52K in MS66 grade at Bowers & Merena. Designed by James Earle Fraser.