1931 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1931 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — 18th of 23 years in the series. In 1931, coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint with a combined mintage of 1.2 million. This represents the lowest annual mintage in the entire series, 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 10 known die varieties for this date across 3 categories, including atypical die clash, doubled die reverse, repunched mint mark. Across its variants, estimated values range from $21 to $123 depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $63K in MS67 grade at Bowers & Merena. Designed by James Earle Fraser.