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1937 Buffalo Nickel Errors – Ultimate Guide – Indian Head, Value Chart

Updated 03 Apr, 2024 •reading-time 6-8'

Ed. note: This article is periodically updated to reflect the current price of most valuable coins.

In Coleccionistas de Monedas, we fight against the misinformation surrounding the world of coins on the Internet. For this reason, our articles are entirely written by people, not AI or other automated systems. Additionally, we link to all sources and references for coin prices, with the goal of providing you with real, updated, and reliable information.

How do we verify coin prices and values?

At Coleccionistas de Monedas, we are committed to providing accurate, trustworthy, and well-sourced numismatic information. We understand that articles about coin values can influence important financial decisions, which is why we apply a clear and rigorous methodology to estimate prices.

Sources used

  • PCGS Price Guide: The official pricing guide from the Professional Coin Grading Service.
  • NGC Price Guide: Updated valuation system from the Numismatic Guaranty Company.
  • Heritage Auctions: Database of real auction sale prices.
  • Red Book: Printed guidebook with historical pricing by grade.
  • eBay Sold Listings: Only completed sales are considered, not asking prices.

Validation process

  1. Price review by condition grade using standard scales (MS, AU, XF, VF).
  2. Verification of varieties and errors through multiple data sources.
  3. Expert consultation when prices significantly deviate from the norm.
  4. Regular updates to reflect current market trends.

Important disclaimer

The values presented in this article are for reference purposes only. Final coin prices can vary significantly depending on authenticity, grade, and selling context. We strongly recommend having your coin certified by a professional service such as PCGS or NGC before selling or purchasing it as an investment.

1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Chart

Coleccionistasdemonedas.com Estimated Value of 1937 Buffalo nickel is:

Mint MS60 MS61 MS62 MS63 MS64 MS65 MS66  
Buffalo Nickel 1937 Philadelfia $18 $20 $22-25 $30-32 $35-40 $50-55 $70-120 $275-875
Buffalo Nickel 1937 Denver (D) $19 $21 $23-30 $34-41 $45-50 $60-65 $90-160 $600-3000
Buffalo Nickel 1937 San Francisco (S) $18 $20 $22-25 $42-50 $42-50 $65-75 $100-125 $800-8500

1937 nickels may have great differences in value attending to the mints and, most of all, to their grade.

1937-Buffalo-nickels-value

Do you have a 1937 five-cent coin? Want to know how much it might be worth?

Just keep reading…

How to know the value of 1937 Buffalo nickels?

Depending on certain factors, this coins have greater or lesser value, since in general they do not usually have high prices for such common coins.

Conservation, a key factor

The first factor regarding 1937 buffalo nickel value is to know the state of conservation of the coin, that is to say, the grade that is attributed to it according to its conservation over time. The higher the grade, the higher the price increases, exponentially. In a poor condition it can be worth less than a dollar, however, in the highest grades it can exceed thousands of dollars.

To know the state of conservation of the coin we own or want to buy, we need to have an expert eye that is acquired with time and experience. That is why it is not a bad idea to resort to TPG (Third Party Grading Service). These are companies dedicated to evaluation and give a score to our coins according to their condition. In addition, they certify the authenticity and encapsulate the coin for security purposes, both for its preservation and to facilitate its sale.

Knowing the mint that minted the coin

The second factor would be where the nickel was minted, that is, where it was manufactured. On the 1937 five-cent coins there are three possible mints (factories):

  • Philadelphia: No mint mark, with a mintage of 119,001,420 coins.
  • Denver: With mintmark D, with a mintage of 24,814,000 coins.
  • San Francisco: With mintmark S, with a mintage of 14,930,000 coins.

Where can we find the mintmark?

Quite easy: on the reverse of the coin, under the buffalo, we find the word “FIVE CENTS“; below, there may or may not be a letter indicating the mint. If there is no letter, this is Philadelphia, otherwise, it may be a or an as we have seen previously.

What makes the 1937 buffalo nickel rare?

We could consider rarity as the third factor. That is, that they contain some error or variant that, together with the quality, increases the price due to their scarcity.

This year’s most quoted 1937 Buffalo nickel errors are:

1937 D Buffalo Nickel 3 Legs

1937-Buffalo-nickels-worth-3legs

This error occurs only in the Denver mint (D) coins, and can be seen on the reverse, specifically on the front legs of the Buffalo. Due to a minting error the right leg is hardly visible. This is why the error is called 3 legs.

If you are owner of a Buffalo nickel 1937 D, you are a lucky!

1937 Buffalo proof

what-is-1937-Buffalo-nickels-worth-buffproof

Although it is not a mistake, 1937 is the last year to have these special mintages, as in 1938 the minting of new designs began. They are quite abundant, but they are also in great demand, hence their high value.
The PROOF coins have a special contrast that differentiates them from the normal uncirculated coins as can be seen in the photo.

These errors, despite seeming unremarkable, cause a furor among collectors due to their scarcity, and it is for this reason that thousands of dollars are paid depending also on their conservation factor. In the following table we can see how muchthese two cases are worth.

1937 Buffalo Nickel Errors MS60 MS61 MS62 MS63 MS64 MS65
1937-D 3 Legs $2,100 $2,250 $2,750-$3,250 $5,000-5,400 $6,250-8,000 $24,000-35,000
1937 Proof $725 $800 $925 $1,100 $1,230 $1,300 

How do you know if a 1937 Buffalo nickel is valuable?

We can assess whether our currency will have a high price by looking at the above factors:

  • Reverse: This is where you will see the mint mark and if it has any of the previously mentioned errors. Specifically on the exergue of the coin, at the bottom.
  • General quality: In this case it is more difficult, we can see if it is to a greater or lesser extent worn, but to be sure only an expert or TPG will remove any doubt.

References and sources