1930 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1930 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — 17th of 23 years in the series. In 1930, coins were struck at the San Francisco and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 28.3 million. This ranks 5th 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. Struck during the Great Depression, when mintages dropped sharply and the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1933. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have cataloged 40 known die varieties for this date across 3 categories, including doubled die obverse, doubled die reverse, repunched mint mark. Struck one year before the 1931 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $2 to $148 depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $31K in MS67+ grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Earle Fraser.