Buffalo Nickel Errors & Die Varieties Guide (1913–1938)

Buffalo Nickel Error Guide

James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel (1913–1938) is one of America's most artistically ambitious coins — and one of its most error-prone. The high-relief design, struck in a hard 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy, wore dies at an extraordinary rate. Mint employees polished dies aggressively to extend their service life, inadvertently grinding away design elements and creating legends: the 3-Legged Buffalo, the Two Feathers varieties, and the 3½-Legged Buffalo. The complex multi-impression hubbing process of the era generated the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse and two major overdates. Add wartime resource pressures, manual mintmark punching, and a planchet alloy prone to lamination, and the result is the richest error series in 20th-century American coinage.

This guide catalogs 13 major errors and variety categories across the full 1913–1938 production run — from six-figure trophy rarities to cherrypickable finds in circulated rolls. For standard year-by-year values of non-error Buffalo Nickels, see our complete Buffalo Nickel value guide.

Buffalo Nickel Error Values & Price Guide

Complete Buffalo Nickel Error Price Reference — All Major Varieties

Errors are grouped by tier (Trophy / Findable). Click an error name to jump to the full diagnostic write-up. Year/mint cells link to dedicated year-error subpages where available.

1913 Buffalo Nickel Values (First Year — Type 1 & Type 2)

1913 produced both Type 1 (bison on raised mound) and Type 2 (bison on flat exergue line) — collected separately. Neither is an error per se, but Type 1 denomination wear prompted the mid-year modification. Check Denver and San Francisco issues for Two Feathers varieties. Standard circulated values: $8–$30; uncirculated: $50–$300+. For full value tables, see our Buffalo Nickel Value Guide.

1914–1916 Buffalo Nickel Values (Early Date Era — DDO & Overdate Hotspot)

The most dangerous years for error hunters. Every 1916 Philadelphia and every 1914 Philadelphia must be examined for the DDO and 1914/3 Overdate respectively. Standard common-date circulated value: $1–$10; uncirculated: $30–$150+. An error-confirmed 1916 DDO starts at $3,700 in Good condition.

1917–1929 Buffalo Nickel Values (Mid-Series — 1918/7-D Overdate & Two Feathers)

All 1918 Denver coins must be examined for the 1918/7-D Overdate. Two Feathers varieties appear on many D and S mint issues across this entire range — especially key 1917-S and 1921-S. Standard common-date circulated value: $0.50–$5; uncirculated: $25–$100+.

1930–1938 Buffalo Nickel Values (Final Years — 3-Legged, DDR, OMM Era)

The most famous errors concentrate in these years. Standard common-date circulated value: $0.50–$3. See year-specific notes below for 1935, 1936, 1937, and 1938.

1936 Values: 1936 Nickel Errors →

The 1936-D 3½-Legged Buffalo (FS-902) is rarer than the famous 1937-D 3-Legged. Non-Denver 1936 coins: standard circulated $0.50–$3; uncirculated $20–$60+.

1937 Values: 1937 Nickel Errors →

All 1937-D coins must be examined for the 3-Legged Buffalo (FS-901). Non-Denver 1937 (Philadelphia, San Francisco): standard circulated $0.50–$3; uncirculated $20–$60+.

1938 Values

The final year of the series. The 1938-D was heavily hoarded as the last-year issue, making it the most common Buffalo Nickel in high grades — but many carry the D/S Over Mintmark (FS-501) or D/D RPM, both cherrypickable for $30–$50 in circulated condition. Standard 1938-D circulated: $0.50–$3.

Values represent approximate certified (PCGS/NGC) retail prices based on auction data through early 2026. Raw coins typically sell for less. For standard non-error Buffalo Nickel values, see our complete series value guide.

How to Identify Buffalo Nickel Errors

The Buffalo Nickel's high-relief design and hard cupronickel alloy create a unique identification environment. Because the date sits on the highest point of the design, it wears first — making date legibility itself a diagnostic factor. Use this workflow on every Buffalo Nickel before attributing it as common.

Required Tools

• 10× loupe or stereo microscope — essential for overdate crossbars, feather counts, and doubled die diagnostics
• Precision scale (0.01g resolution) — mandatory for detecting wrong-planchet errors (standard weight: 5.00g)
• Single-source directional light — raking light reveals die polish marks, flow lines, and clash remnants

5-Step Inspection Workflow

1. Weigh it first. Normal Buffalo Nickel = 5.00g. A coin weighing ~3.11g may be struck on a copper cent planchet — an extreme rarity worth $28,000+. Any anomaly in weight or color demands immediate professional review.
2. Count the headdress feathers (obverse). There should be THREE feathers. If only two are present with polishing evidence in the field, you may have a Two Feathers variety (FS-401), worth $200–$12,949+ depending on date and grade.
3. Inspect the bison's right foreleg (reverse). On a 1937-D, look for the foreleg to be completely absent (3-Legged, FS-901). On a 1936-D, look for the lower portion to be missing with the upper thigh remaining (3½-Legged, FS-902). These are two distinct die states — do not confuse them.
4. Examine the date carefully. On any 1918-D: does a crossbar cut through the upper loop of the "8"? (1918/7-D Overdate). On any 1914-P: does the top of the "4" show a curved crossbar from an underlying "3"? On any 1916-P: is there a strong clockwise spread on the date with a secondary "1916" shifted right? Use a 10× loupe.
5. Check under the chin and the mintmark. Look for backwards letters ("ULP", inverted "E") in the throat area — a die clash worth $100+ on key dates. On 1938-D coins, examine the "D" mintmark for an underlying "S" (OMM) or multiple "D" outlines (RPM).

Hub Doubling (left, valuable) vs. Machine Doubling (right, no premium): Hub Doubling shows raised, rounded secondary images with split serifs. Machine Doubling is flat and shelf-like.

Composition & Weight Reference

All Buffalo Nickels (1913–1938) share the same composition throughout the series — there are no transitional or silver-content errors to diagnose. Weight deviation is the only planchet authentication tool needed.

Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Errors

Trophy-tier errors: 1916 DDO · 1914/3 Overdate · 1918/7-D Overdate · 1937-D 3-Legged · 1936-D 3½-Legged · Wrong Planchet

1916 Doubled Die Obverse (FS-101) — The King of the Series

The 1916 DDO is widely regarded as the single most important error variety in 20th-century U.S. nickel coinage. It was created when the working die received two hub impressions that were misaligned, producing a strong clockwise rotational spread. Because the date sits on the coin's highest point and wears first, finding a 1916 DDO with a bold, readable date is a condition rarity in itself.

1916 DDO — Strong clockwise spread: secondary "1916" is visible to the right and below the primary date. Note the notched, shelved appearance on the chin and feather tips.

Pickup Points

1. The Date (Primary): A clear duplicate "1916" is visible to the right and slightly lower than the primary date. The spread is described as "Very Strong" and remains identifiable in low grades.
2. Chin and Throat: The Native American's chin and throat show a distinct "notched" or shelved appearance where the two impressions failed to overlap.
3. Feathers and Braid Tie: Individual feather tips show split serifs; the tie on the hair braids shows visible doubling with rounded secondary images.

Detailed die-state analysis and stage diagnostics are documented at VarietyVista's 1916 DDO-001 page. Population data and price history are available at NGC Coin Explorer and PCGS Auction Prices.

Values by Grade

• G-4 to G-10:$3,700–$5,800 — even "Good" examples are foundational key-date investments
• VF-15 to VF-20:$7,000–$10,000
• MS-63:$100,000+
• MS-64 (Record):$264,500 (Heritage Auctions, 2005, via PCGS Auction Prices); additional MS-64 sales at $172,500 (2012) and $195,500 (2009)
• MS-64 (2024): ~$54,000 — recent correction noted, likely influenced by details-graded competition

Additional sold records available at GreatCollections auction archive.

1914/3 Overdate (FS-101)

The 1914/3 Overdate is believed to have been created when a 1913 working die was updated for 1914 production, with the "4" punched over the existing "3." Multiple different overdate dies have been identified, suggesting this was a batch event rather than a single rogue die.

1914/3 Overdate: the crossbar of the underlying "3" is visible across the top of the "4," and an additional line from the "3" intersects the diagonal stroke of the "4."

Pickup Points

1. Crossbar of the 3: The curved element of the underlying "3" crosses the top of the "4" — this is the primary diagnostic.
2. Diagonal Intersection: A line from the "3" also intersects the diagonal stroke of the "4." Both elements must be geometrically consistent with the numeral "3" — not random die cracks or scratches.
3. Multiple Die Varieties: PCGS notes several different overdate dies, so the exact appearance varies. Compare to known die reference photographs.

PCGS CoinFacts pages: 1914/(3) FS-101 CoinFacts. Price tracking: PriceCharting 1914 FS-101.

Values by Grade

• VF-20:$850–$1,000
• AU-50: ~$1,297
• MS-63 (CAC): Sold at Heritage Auctions
• MS-64+:$9,600 (Heritage Auctions, 2024)
• MS-65 (Record):$28,750

1918/7-D Overdate (FS-101) — The Second Most Valuable Variety

The 1918/7-D is the second most valuable variety in the series and a historical marker for World War I production pressures. To conserve tool steel — a critical wartime resource — the Denver Mint retrieved an unfinished 1917 working die and impressed it with the 1918 hub. The underlying "7" was not fully obliterated, creating one of the most prized overdates in U.S. coinage. Finding a specimen with a full strike is notoriously difficult, adding a "condition rarity" dimension to an already scarce variety.

1918/7-D Overdate: the horizontal crossbar of the underlying "7" cuts through the upper loop of the "8," and the vertical staff of the "7" runs down the center of the "8." Both elements must be present for genuine attribution.

Pickup Points

1. The Crossbar (Primary): The horizontal bar of the underlying "7" cuts distinctly through the upper loop of the "8."
2. The Vertical Staff: The vertical staff of the "7" is visible running down the center of the "8."
3. Die Erosion Context: Denver dies from this period often exhibit characteristic halo-effect peripheral die erosion around devices. A genuine 1918/7-D will typically show this context, but the overdate features must remain sharp.
4. What It Is Not: Random planchet marks or lamination defects crossing the "8." The "7" elements must appear in geometrically correct positions consistent with the numeral.

Values by Grade

• VG-8:$1,100+ — highly liquid across all grade levels
• VF-30 to VF-35:$4,000–$5,000
• AU-58: Over $30,000 — CAC-stickered examples command further premium (Stack's Bowers Rarities Night June 2024)
• MS-65 (Gem): Tens of thousands — census-level rarity described as "pinkish-apricot mint color" with "softly frosted luster"
• Top Pop Record:$340,000+

1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo (FS-901) — America's Most Famous Error Coin

The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo transcends numismatics to become a pop-culture icon of American rare coins. The error originated when a feeder mechanism jam caused the obverse and reverse dies to strike each other without a planchet (a die clash). A Mint employee polished out the clash damage, but the bison's right foreleg — a shallow element on the reverse die — was completely polished away in the process.

Because of its extreme value, this is the most commonly counterfeited U.S. error coin. Authentication requires verifying all three mandatory diagnostics. Missing even one should raise suspicion.

1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo: the bison's right foreleg (stepping forward) is completely absent. Note the hoof often remains visible but is clearly severed from the absent leg — a hallmark of genuine specimens.

Three Mandatory Diagnostics

Top: the "Pissing Buffalo" — tiny raised polish-line lumps under the bison's belly (genuine diagnostic). Bottom: the "Moth-Eaten Neck" — ragged, eroded texture on the reverse of the Native American's neck.

Authentication resources: NGC Counterfeit Detection Guide, NGC Outright Fake Detection, and Stack's Bowers Authentication Guide. PCGS CoinFacts page: 1937-D 5C 3-Legs FS-901.

Values by Grade

• VF-20 to VF-35:$500–$700 — highly liquid; even details-graded coins bring hundreds
• MS-63+:$20,000+
• MS-66+ (Record):$85,187 (Heritage Auctions, 2016); $84,000 (Stack's Bowers, 2023)

Comprehensive collector's guide: CoinWeek's 1937-D 3-Legged Guide. For the complete 1937 error overview, see 1937 Nickel Errors.

1936-D 3½-Legged Buffalo (FS-902) — Rarer Than Its Famous Cousin

The 1936-D 3½-Legged Buffalo is often confused with the 1937-D, but it is a completely distinct die from a different year. Also caused by die polishing, the result here was the partial removal of the foreleg — the lower portion is missing, but the upper thigh remains visible, creating an "amputated" appearance. It commands a different value curve than the 1937-D due to lower public recognition despite higher rarity.

1936-D 3½-Legged Buffalo (right): the upper thigh is present but the lower leg is absent, creating an "amputated" look. Compare to a normal foreleg (left). The 1937-D diagnostics (moth-eaten neck, pissing buffalo) do NOT apply to this variety.

Critical Distinctions

• The 1937-D diagnostics (Pissing Buffalo, Moth-Eaten Neck) do NOT apply — these are entirely different dies.
• Do not confuse with circulation wear, which thins the leg evenly rather than amputating it from a specific point.
• Confirmed by the partial leg remaining with the upper thigh intact — 1937-D has no leg at all from that point forward.

Values by Grade

• G-4 to F-12:$1,500–$2,500 — significantly higher than an equivalent-grade 1937-D, reflecting true scarcity
• High Grade:$12,000–$25,000
• MS-63 (Record):$20,700 (2009)

Additional background: Gainesville Coins 3½-Legged story. PCGS CoinFacts: 1936-D 5C 3-1/2 Legs. Full 1936 error overview: 1936 Nickel Errors.

Buffalo Nickel on Wrong Planchet

Occasionally, a planchet intended for a different denomination was fed into the nickel press. The most spectacular known example is a Buffalo Nickel struck on a copper cent planchet — it appears reddish-brown, weighs approximately 3.11g instead of 5.00g, and is undersized with portions of the design cut off by the smaller planchet diameter. A 1924 Buffalo Nickel struck on a cent planchet has sold for over $28,000 at auction.

Weight is the first diagnostic for wrong-planchet errors. A normal Buffalo Nickel is 5.00g (cupronickel, silver-gray). A coin on a copper cent planchet weighs ~3.11g and appears copper-colored. Always verify by weight before any other test.

Identification Protocol

1. Weight: Normal Buffalo Nickel = 5.00g exactly. A copper cent planchet weighs ~3.11g. Any significant deviation is the primary flag.
2. Color: Standard nickels are silver-gray. A copper planchet produces a distinctly reddish-brown coin — not toning or environmental damage.
3. Diameter / Design Completeness: The smaller cent planchet may cut off parts of the design at the rim. Verify this is structural, not post-mint damage.

Professional authentication is mandatory before selling any suspected wrong-planchet specimen. Toned, plated, or chemically treated coins are common traps. See Planchet Error Reference for classification standards.

Buffalo Nickel Errors You Can Still Find

These varieties are actively cherrypicked from circulated collections, estate lots, and dealer stock. None require six-figure budgets. The 1938-D/S OMM is findable for under $50 in circulated grades; the 1935 DDR can be spotted with a sharp eye and a 10× loupe.

1935 Doubled Die Reverse (FS-801)

The 1935 DDR is the only major recognized reverse doubled die in the series and the only DDR with widespread collector demand. The error occurred when the reverse die received a slightly offset or tilted hub impression. In lower grades it offers an accessible entry point; in Gem condition it is fiercely contested.

1935 DDR (FS-801): clear serif separation on "FIVE CENTS" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." The genuine variety shows split, raised serifs — not flat machine doubling. Also check the bison's eye, horn, and mane for doubled detail.

Pickup Points

1. "FIVE CENTS" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM": Clear separation of serifs — the FS-801 shows distinctly split serif endings. Compare to the weaker FS-803 variety.
2. Bison Details: Doubled eye, horn, and mane details are also visible on strong specimens.
3. Not Machine Doubling: Machine Doubling on this coin appears flat and shelf-like with no split serifs. Only FS-801 (Strong Doubling) commands a true premium over FS-803.

Die reference: VarietyVista 1935 DDR documentation. PCGS CoinFacts: 1935 5C DDR FS-801.

Values by Grade

• VF-30:$158–$304
• MS-62:$500–$800
• MS-64 (Record):$9,600 (Stack's Bowers, 2021)

Sold prices: GreatCollections 1935 DDR archive. Full 1935 error overview: 1935 Nickel Errors.

1938-D/S Over Mintmark (FS-501) — Final-Year Cherrypick

The 1938-D/S Over Mintmark is one of the most popular cherrypicks in the entire series. In early 1938, the Mint had prepared reverse dies with "S" mintmarks for San Francisco. When production schedules changed and San Francisco was removed from the nickel plan, these dies were repurposed by over-punching the "S" with a "D" and shipping them to Denver for the final Buffalo Nickel production run. Multiple die varieties exist, with varying strength of the underlying "S."

1938-D/S Over Mintmark: the "S" is visible protruding from the top and/or bottom curves of the "D." FS-511 is the strongest variety. Distinguish from the D/D RPM, which shows no "S" shape.

Pickup Points

1. The "S" Shape: A clear "S" is visible underlying the "D," often protruding from the top or bottom curves of the letter.
2. Strongest Variety: FS-511 is the most dramatic, showing "D/D/D/S" complexity. FS-512 and FS-513 are weaker but still attributable.
3. Not the D/D RPM: A Repunched Mintmark shows only doubled "D" outlines with no "S" shape present. Die erosion can also blur the mintmark — verify the "S" curve shape specifically.

Die variety reference: VarietyVista 1938-D OMM documentation. Collector's guide: CoinWeek 1938-D/S origin story. Price tracking: PriceCharting 1938 D/S.

Values by Grade

• Circulated:$30–$50 — affordable cherrypick from dealer junk boxes
• MS-67:$500–$1,000
• MS-68+ (Record):$26,400 (2024)

1938-D/D Repunched Mintmark (Tripled D)

Distinct from the 1938-D/S OMM, the 1938-D/D RPM shows a "D" mintmark punched over another "D." The most dramatic example is the "Tripled D," which displays three distinct overlapping "D" impressions. No "S" shape is present — that distinguishes it cleanly from the OMM. NGC Coin Explorer documents the variety at NGC 1938-D/D Coin Explorer.

Values by Grade

• Circulated:$30–$50 — frequently overlooked in dealer stock
• MS-67: Over $6,000 — specialty demand from comprehensive 1938-D set builders

Two Feathers Varieties (FS-401) — Multiple Dates

The Two Feathers designation refers to a series of errors where the third (innermost) feather on the Native American's headdress was polished away during die maintenance. Long considered a niche oddity, these have gained significant traction in the registry set community. Known dates include 1913-D/S, 1915, 1916, 1917-D/S, 1918-D/S, 1919-D/S, 1920-D/S, 1921-S, 1925-D/S, and 1926-D.

Two Feathers variety (right): only two feathers visible in the headdress, with evidence of die polishing in the field where the third feather should be. Normal coin (left) shows three distinct feathers. Wear-removed feathers (circulation damage) lack the polishing flow-line evidence.

Identification

• Count the Feathers: Three is normal; two is the variety. The third (innermost) feather should be visible on normal specimens.
• Polish Evidence Required: The absence must be due to die polishing, confirmed by flow lines or polish marks in the surrounding field. On heavily worn coins, the feather can disappear from circulation wear — this is NOT the Two Feathers variety.
• Key Rarities: The 1917-S and 1921-S Two Feathers are the "keys" to this sub-series.

PCGS feature article: PCGS — The Scarce Two Feathers Buffalo Nickels.

Values by Grade

• Common Dates in VF:$200–$400 — accessible entry point
• PCGS MS-67 Record:$12,949 (1929-S Two Feather, GreatCollections archive)

Off-Center Strikes & Planchet Errors

The hard cupronickel alloy made it notoriously difficult to roll and properly anneal planchets, leading to a higher-than-average incidence of planchet defects in the series.

Buffalo Nickel off-center strike: a uniform blank crescent is visible on one side where the planchet was not struck. Value increases with percentage off-center and date visibility — a 1924 XF40 off-center realized $630 at auction.

Off-Center Strikes

A 1924 Off-Center graded XF-40 sold for $630; a 20% off-center example sold for $540. Value is maximized when the date remains fully visible and the percentage of off-center is significant (10–20%+). A true off-center strike shows a uniform blank crescent — not a misaligned die (which keeps the full design within the collar) or post-mint damage.

Lamination Errors

Laminations result from contaminants (gas, slag) trapped in the alloy during rolling. Minor laminations typically sell for $20–$50. Large "retained" laminations — where the metal flap remains attached — or laminations that peel to reveal design details are more desirable. See Error Reference — Planchet Errors for classification details.

Die Clashes — "E Pluribus Unum" Under the Chin

A die clash occurs when the dies strike each other without a planchet between them. On the Buffalo Nickel, this most often manifests as the letters "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (from the reverse) appearing in reverse — as raised, backwards impressions — under the Native American's chin and throat on the obverse. Inverted letter fragments such as "ULP" or an inverted "E" can be seen protruding from the throat area.

Die Clash on Buffalo Nickel obverse: reversed letter impressions from "E PLURIBUS UNUM" visible under the Native American's chin. These are raised impressions from the opposite die — not scratches or laminations. Strong clashes on key dates (1916, 1918-S) can add $100+ to a circulated coin's value.

Strong clashes on key dates such as 1916 and 1918-S can raise a circulated coin's value from essentially nothing to $100+. Distinguish from die cracks (which are raised lines, not reversed letter shapes) and lamination defects (which produce flaking metal, not incuse letter impressions).

Dateless Buffalo Nickels & the Nic-A-Date Phenomenon

Due to the placement of the date on the highest point of the Native American's shoulder, millions of Buffalo Nickels lost their dates after only a decade of circulation. A common dateless Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $0.50–$1.00 — essentially a curiosity. However, the striking process work-hardens the metal deeply below the surface. Even when the surface date is completely worn away, the compressed metal underneath retains the date's crystalline structure. Applying ferric chloride (commercially marketed as Nic-A-Date) reveals the date by etching softer surrounding metal faster than the compressed date impression, causing the number to reappear as a ghostly, etched image.

Left: dateless Buffalo Nickel before Nic-A-Date application. Right: after acid treatment — date is visible but surface is permanently etched, pitted, and chemically altered. Restored-date coins trade at 10–20% of a problem-free coin's value and cannot receive a straight grade from PCGS or NGC.

Market Impact of Acid-Restored Dates

Acid-restored coins are permanently damaged and will always receive a "Details" grade designation from PCGS or NGC — they will never grade straight. As a result, they trade at roughly 10–20% of a problem-free coin's value in the equivalent grade. However, for rare key dates, the restoration still has collector value: if the acid treatment reveals diagnostics of a 1916 DDO — where the doubling spread is distinct from the date itself — the coin remains a historically significant filler specimen, often selling for hundreds of dollars even in acid-treated condition.

Key Dates to Watch For in Dateless Coins

If Nic-A-Date reveals any of the following dates, the coin's value increases significantly beyond the standard dateless price (though still at a "Details" discount):

• 1913-S Type 2 — scarce first-year branch mint issue
• 1916 (P) — examine for DDO doubling diagnostics even after acid treatment
• 1918-D — examine for overdate even on acid-treated coin
• Any "S" mint 1921 — low mintage key date

Grading Buffalo Nickel Error Coins

Grading Buffalo Nickel errors involves the same standards as grading normal specimens, with several error-specific considerations that can significantly affect market value.

Error-Specific Grading Factors

• Strike Quality: The hard cupronickel alloy made full strikes difficult. A fully struck example of any variety commands a substantial premium over a flat-struck example in the same numeric grade. This is especially critical for the 1918/7-D and 1916 DDO, where the fine diagnostic features must remain sharp.
• Die Polish Effects: The fields of 1937-D 3-Legged specimens are often semi-reflective due to the same die polishing that created the error. This is normal and expected — graders are familiar with it. It should not be interpreted as cleaning or wiping.
• Surface Preservation on Nickels: The cupronickel alloy is prone to carbon spots and lamination issues that are treated as detracting by graders. A 1916 DDO with a carbon spot may grade MS-63 instead of MS-64, a difference of tens of thousands of dollars at this level.
• "Details" Grading Thresholds: Cleaned, polished, or acid-treated coins receive "Details" designations and cannot receive straight numeric grades. The 1937-D 3-Legged is particularly susceptible to cleaning, as owners have historically attempted to enhance its eye appeal.

When Professional Grading Is Worth the Cost

For any variety valued at $300 or more in the grade you believe your coin to be, PCGS or NGC certification is strongly recommended. At minimum, all trophy-tier errors (1916 DDO, 1918/7-D, 1937-D 3-Legged, 1936-D 3½-Legged) should be certified before sale. The 1937-D 3-Legged is the most counterfeited U.S. error coin and will be heavily discounted or refused by sophisticated buyers if ungraded.

Buffalo Nickel Error Authentication

Authentication is the single most important step for any high-value Buffalo Nickel error. The series has a long history of alteration and outright fakes, particularly for the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo.

Weight Protocol (All Error Types)

Any suspected wrong-planchet error must be weighed before all other diagnostics. A normal Buffalo Nickel weighs exactly 5.00g. Deviation of more than 0.1g in either direction warrants investigation. Use a precision scale accurate to 0.01g. This is the simplest and fastest filter for planchet anomalies.

3-Legged Buffalo Authentication Protocol

Verify all three mandatory diagnostics before drawing any conclusion: (1) completely missing right foreleg, (2) the "Pissing Buffalo" raised die lumps under the belly, and (3) the "Moth-Eaten Neck" obverse erosion. Examine field texture around the absent leg for tool marks, different reflectivity, or scooped depressions that indicate post-mint grinding. Genuine specimens show consistent field flow lines throughout.

When Third-Party Grading Is Mandatory

For the 1937-D 3-Legged, 1916 DDO, 1918/7-D, and 1936-D 3½-Legged, third-party certification (PCGS or NGC) is effectively mandatory before any significant transaction. Sophisticated buyers will either refuse ungraded specimens or heavily discount them. These coins are too heavily faked and altered to rely on self-authentication alone.

Finding Reputable Dealers & Auction Houses

Major auction houses with proven track records for Buffalo Nickel errors include Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers, and GreatCollections. For online price research, PriceCharting tracks certified sale prices for major varieties. For attribution support, the Stack's Bowers authentication article (Is My 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Authentic?) is an excellent starting resource. Submit coins directly to PCGS or NGC, or through an authorized dealer, to avoid the risks of through-the-mail unverified attribution.

Buffalo Nickel Error FAQs

Methodology & Sources

This guide synthesizes auction records, certified price data, and die diagnostics from primary numismatic sources. All prices reflect certified (PCGS/NGC) retail market data from auction sales documented through early 2026. Raw coins typically sell for less. The series end year of 1938 reflects the documented final year of Buffalo Nickel production.

Primary Sources

• VarietyVista — 1916 DDO die-state analysis and 1935 DDR documentation
• NGC Coin Explorer — Population and auction price data for 1916 DDO and 1938-D/D RPM
• PCGS Auction Prices — Historical auction records for 1916 DDO
• PCGS — Two Feathers variety documentation and date list
• CoinWeek — 1937-D 3-Legged collector's guide and authentication
• Stack's Bowers Rarities Night (June 2024) — 1918/7-D AU-58 auction record
• Stack's Bowers Rarities Night (November 2025) — Supplemental auction data
• NGC Counterfeit Detection — 1937-D 3-Legged authentication diagnostics
• ErrorRef.com — Planchet error classification standards

For standard Buffalo Nickel values by year and mint mark, see our Buffalo Nickel Value Guide.