1918 Buffalo Nickel Value Guide

The 1918 Buffalo Nickel is a cornerstone of the early 20th-century movement to beautify American coinage, featuring James Earle Fraser's iconic composite portrait of three Native American chiefs. This specific year is highly collectible as it represents a survivor from an era where the coin's high-relief date was prone to wearing away during circulation.

What affects the value of 1918 Buffalo Nickel?

• Legibility of the date, as the 1918 issue is notorious for the date wearing off due to the raised design.
• The presence of a mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) below the buffalo, which can increase value over the Philadelphia strike.
• Overall surface preservation and the amount of detail remaining on the buffalo's horn and the chieftain's hair braid.
• Current market demand for coins in the $3.00 to $4.50 price range for average circulated grades.

How to Identify 1918 Buffalo Nickel?

• Check the obverse for the composite portrait of Chiefs Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree.
• Verify the reverse features the American bison, modeled after Black Diamond from the Central Park Zoo.
• Look for the '1918' date on the raised area of the Native American's shoulder, though it may be faint.
• Confirm the composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel with a distinct matte-like luster on uncirculated specimens.

History of 1918 Buffalo Nickel

Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 to 1938, this coin was part of a movement to beautify American coinage. The obverse is a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs: Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree. The reverse features Black Diamond, a bison from the Central Park Zoo. This series is famous for the date often wearing off because it was placed on a raised area of the design.