1936 (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
$37,375 MS68 01-01-2007 David Lawrence RC
Description
The 1936 (D) Buffalo Nickel is a nickel produced at the Denver Mint as part of the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series. The U.S. Mint produced 24.8 million examples, making this ranked 2nd of 4 mint variants by mintage, with 14% 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. Struck during the Great Depression, when mintages dropped sharply and the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1933. Struck at the Denver Mint, established in 1906 from an earlier assay office that processed Colorado gold rush metal. Estimated market value ranges from $527 to $23K 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 #3978.
External References
Error Varieties(16)
1936-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001
1936-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-002
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-003
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-004
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-005
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-006
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-007
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-008
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-009
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-010
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-011
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-012
1936-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-013
