1927 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1927 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — 14th of 23 years in the series. In 1927, coins were struck at the Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 47.1 million. This ranks 11th 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. Minted during and after World War I, as America emerged as a global power and experienced the prosperity of the Roaring Twenties. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have cataloged 14 known die varieties for this date across 3 categories, including doubled die obverse, doubled die reverse, repunched mint mark. Produced 4 years before the celebrated 1931 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $2 to $2.8K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $125K in MS66* grade at Bowers & Merena. Designed by James Earle Fraser.