A Slice of History
Imagine buying a pizza and getting change that’s worth more than a fancy car. That’s exactly what happened with a rare Buffalo Nickel, once used to pay for a slice, now valued at a jaw-dropping $601,000! This five-cent coin, also called the Indian Head Nickel, was minted from 1913 to 1938 and designed by James Earle Fraser. Its front shows a Native American profile, and the back features a buffalo, capturing the spirit of America’s Wild West. While most Buffalo Nickels are worth just a few cents, some rare ones, like this one, are treasures hiding in plain sight.
A Lucky Find
This incredible story started when a man in Ohio paid for a pizza and got a worn-out nickel in his change. It didn’t look special—just an old coin with a faint design. Curious, he tucked it away and later posted a picture on a coin collectors’ online forum. The response was electric: experts identified it as a 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, a rare error coin where the date “1918” was stamped over “1917.” This minting mistake, combined with the coin’s decent condition, makes it one of the most valuable nickels ever. After authentication, it sold at auction for $601,000, turning pocket change into a life-changing fortune.
Why So Valuable?
The Buffalo Nickel’s value comes from a mix of rarity, history, and mistakes at the mint. The 1918/7-D error happened at the Denver Mint (marked by a “D” under the buffalo), making it super rare. Only a few of these coins exist, and collectors go wild for them. Other valuable Buffalo Nickels include the 1937-D “Three-Legged” Nickel, where a minting error erased one of the buffalo’s legs, and the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse, where the date looks doubled. Coins in great condition, with sharp details, fetch the highest prices. For example, a 1937-D Three-Legged Nickel sold for $92,000 in 2024, and some rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickels have hit $15.1 million
| Key Buffalo Nickel Variants | Value | Why It’s Rare |
|---|---|---|
| 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel | $601,000 | Date stamped over 1917 |
| 1937-D Three-Legged Nickel | $92,000 | Missing buffalo leg |
| 1913 Liberty Head Nickel | $15.1M | Only five known exist |
Still Out There
Here’s the wild part: rare Buffalo Nickels are still floating around in everyday change. They’ve been found in cash registers, bank rolls, and even kids’ lunch money! A 1936-D “3½ Leg” Nickel sold for $980,000 after being found in a convenience store’s change, and a dateless Buffalo Nickel from a toy box went for $1.27 million. Since these coins look like regular nickels to most people, they often go unnoticed. Collectors say you should check your change for coins with a Native American on one side and a buffalo on the other, especially if they have a “D” or “S” mint mark under “FIVE CENTS.”
How to Spot a Winner
If you want to hunt for a valuable Buffalo Nickel, here’s what to do:
- Look for coins dated 1913 to 1938 with a Native American and buffalo design.
- Check the back for a mint mark: “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or no mark for Philadelphia.
- Watch for errors like doubled dates (like 1918/7) or missing buffalo legs.
- Use a magnifying glass to inspect details, especially the date and mint mark.
- Take any suspicious coins to a local coin shop for expert evaluation.
Stories of million-dollar finds, like a $5.2 million nickel found in a coat pocket, keep collectors excited. These coins are pieces of history that might be hiding in your wallet right now.
A Piece of America
The Buffalo Nickel isn’t just about money—it’s a snapshot of America’s past. Designed to honor the country’s frontier days, it reminds us of a time when Native Americans and buffaloes roamed the plains. Every time someone finds a rare one, it’s like uncovering a tiny piece of history. So, next time you get change, take a closer look. That nickel might just be your ticket to a small fortune—or at least a great story to tell.