1937 Buffalo Nickel
In 1913 the U.S. Mint retired the Liberty Head nickel (or 'V' nickel) design and started. The 1937 Buffalo Nickel was the second-to-last nickel to be minted in the series and was the last Buffalo Nickel to be minted at the Philadelphia mint. During 1937, the Philadelphia mint produced 79,485,769 examples, the second highest amount produced in one year. 1936 was the only year to have Buffalo Nickel production above 100 million pieces.
Buffalo Nickel Overview
Officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo Nickel as it is more commonly known was minted between 1913 and 1938. Embraced by most consumers at the time, the Buffalo Nickel is considered one of the most beautiful coins minted by the US mint.
James Earle Fraser, a sculptor at the time, was the designer of both the obverse and reverse of the coin. Fraser’s design was embraced by the mint and approved in 1912, but was not put into production until 1913. This was due to several coin-operated machine companies voicing complaints that the nickel could not be detected by their mechanisms.
Despite these complaints, production of the Buffalo Nickel started in 1913 and featured a bust of a Native American facing right with the word “Liberty” on the obverse.
The reverse design has a depiction of the American Bison standing on a hill with the words “United States of America” above and “Five Cents’ below. The reverse design was changed mid-way through 1913 when Fraser removed the hill that the bison was standing on to help prolong the coin’s life in circulation.
The Buffalo Nickel weighs 5 grams and has a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin has a 21.2mm diameter and has no reeding along it’s edges.
History of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel
The 1937 Buffalo Nickel was the second-to-last nickel to be minted in the series and was the last Buffalo Nickel to be minted at the Philadelphia mint. During 1937, the Philadelphia mint produced 79,485,769 examples, the second highest amount produced in one year. 1936 was the only year to have Buffalo Nickel production above 100 million pieces.
Like all other buffalo nickels, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel suffered from easy wear in circulation, leading to the date and mintmark to be easily removed. This has resulted in many buffalo nickels, including the 1937 nickel, having lower quality.
Due to the large amount minted, 1937 buffalo nickels can be found in better conditions because of limited time in circulation. This means that most 1937 buffalo nickels in higher grades are much cheaper than those produced in the mid and early 1920s.
Grading 1937 and Other Buffalo Nickels
Since the value of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel is heavily dependent on its condition, knowing what grade your coin is in will help you determine the price.
Here are some simple rules to follow to help grade your coin:
Good 4 - Date is readable, but some numbers may be very light or worn away. Most details are worn away on the obverse and reverse, including the Bison’s tail. Rims are completely worn away.
Fine 12 - Similar to good but has a general increase in the number of details. Rims are mainly intact and the date is full. Half of the bison’s tail can be seen.
Extra Fine 45 - A coin that was not in circulation for a long time. Has almost full detail and a good amount of luster present. Bison’s tail is full but may have a small amount of wear.
Uncirculated 60 - Shows no signs of circulation and all details on the obverse and reverse are sharp. Full mint luster is still present. Bison’s tail is full and sharp with no wear present.
Most 1937 Buffalo Nickels will be in either Good 4 or Fine 12 condition due to their heavy use in circulation. Some 1937 Buffalo Nickels may be in Uncirculated condition and should be taken to a coin dealer for further inspection and a second opinion.
Since the value of uncirculated 1937 Buffalo Nickels is relatively low, sending uncirculated examples to be graded by a third party grader should only be done if the coin is in MS-65 condition or higher.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value
Due to the massive amount minted and the heavy wear on most examples, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel holds only a small value for those coins not in Uncirculated condition.
1937 Buffalo Nickels in Good 4 condition are worth about $1, while those in Fine 12 condition are valued at $2. Most examples of 1937 Buffalo Nickels will fall into either of these price points.
Even 1937 Buffalo Nickels in Extra Fine 45 condition are only worth $4.
Uncirculated examples graded MS-60 are worth $16 and those in MS-66 jump to $68. Few coins have been graded at MS-67 or higher.
Even with low values, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel still sees great demand among collectors, due to the coins pleasing design and potential future value. As more people engage in coin collecting, the prices of entry coins like the 1937 Buffalo Nickel will continue to rise.
Buffalo Nickel Overview
Officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo Nickel as it is more commonly known was minted between 1913 and 1938. Embraced by most consumers at the time, the Buffalo Nickel is considered one of the most beautiful coins minted by the US mint.
James Earle Fraser, a sculptor at the time, was the designer of both the obverse and reverse of the coin. Fraser’s design was embraced by the mint and approved in 1912, but was not put into production until 1913. This was due to several coin-operated machine companies voicing complaints that the nickel could not be detected by their mechanisms.
1937 Buffalo Nickel
Despite these complaints, production of the Buffalo Nickel started in 1913 and featured a bust of a Native American facing right with the word “Liberty” on the obverse.
The reverse design has a depiction of the American Bison standing on a hill with the words “United States of America” above and “Five Cents’ below. The reverse design was changed mid-way through 1913 when Fraser removed the hill that the bison was standing on to help prolong the coin’s life in circulation.
The Buffalo Nickel weighs 5 grams and has a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin has a 21.2mm diameter and has no reeding along it’s edges.
History of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel
The 1937 Buffalo Nickel was the second-to-last nickel to be minted in the series and was the last Buffalo Nickel to be minted at the Philadelphia mint. During 1937, the Philadelphia mint produced 79,485,769 examples, the second highest amount produced in one year. 1936 was the only year to have Buffalo Nickel production above 100 million pieces.
Like all other buffalo nickels, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel suffered from easy wear in circulation, leading to the date and mintmark to be easily removed. This has resulted in many buffalo nickels, including the 1937 nickel, having lower quality.
Due to the large amount minted, 1937 buffalo nickels can be found in better conditions because of limited time in circulation. This means that most 1937 buffalo nickels in higher grades are much cheaper than those produced in the mid and early 1920s.
Grading 1937 and Other Buffalo Nickels
Since the value of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel is heavily dependent on its condition, knowing what grade your coin is in will help you determine the price.
Here are some simple rules to follow to help grade your coin:
Good 4 - Date is readable, but some numbers may be very light or worn away. Most details are worn away on the obverse and reverse, including the Bison’s tail. Rims are completely worn away.
Fine 12 - Similar to good but has a general increase in the number of details. Rims are mainly intact and the date is full. Half of the bison’s tail can be seen.
Extra Fine 45 - A coin that was not in circulation for a long time. Has almost full detail and a good amount of luster present. Bison’s tail is full but may have a small amount of wear.
Uncirculated 60 - Shows no signs of circulation and all details on the obverse and reverse are sharp. Full mint luster is still present. Bison’s tail is full and sharp with no wear present.
Most 1937 Buffalo Nickels will be in either Good 4 or Fine 12 condition due to their heavy use in circulation. Some 1937 Buffalo Nickels may be in Uncirculated condition and should be taken to a coin dealer for further inspection and a second opinion.
Since the value of uncirculated 1937 Buffalo Nickels is relatively low, sending uncirculated examples to be graded by a third party grader should only be done if the coin is in MS-65 condition or higher.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value
Due to the massive amount minted and the heavy wear on most examples, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel holds only a small value for those coins not in Uncirculated condition.
1937 Buffalo Nickels in Good 4 condition are worth about $1, while those in Fine 12 condition are valued at $2. Most examples of 1937 Buffalo Nickels will fall into either of these price points.
Even 1937 Buffalo Nickels in Extra Fine 45 condition are only worth $4.
Uncirculated examples graded MS-60 are worth $16 and those in MS-66 jump to $68. Few coins have been graded at MS-67 or higher.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Proof
Even with low values, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel still sees great demand among collectors, due to the coins pleasing design and potential future value. As more people engage in coin collecting, the prices of entry coins like the 1937 Buffalo Nickel will continue to rise.