1935 Buffalo Nickel: Common or Rare? Aspects To Be Aware Of

For more than a century, the Buffalo Nickel has represented the true symbols of the nation and its distinctive currency. Collectors from all over the world typically miss the iteration minted in 1935, for it is considered a casual example of general circulation. Anyway, is it truly an ordinary coin, or does it have a hidden rarity?

In this material, we are going to identify the coin and its main features, look at its varieties, estimate its value, and learn more about the origin and background of the 1935 buffalo head nickel. Does this coin deserve a special place in your collection? It is up to you to decide. 

Why Was the Buffalo Nickel Created, And Who Designed It?

By the beginning of the XX century, the US leaders and governing representatives, including Theodore Roosevelt, expressed their desire to bring a bit of artistry to the coins. This is how this global initiative commenced. In 1913, the Buffalo Nickel, officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, was finally released as a part of the above-mentioned campaign. 

According to the Coinage Act of 1890, each coin was permitted to change after it had been in circulation for 25 years, which is why it was possible to replace the traditional, yet a bit old-fashioned Liberty Head Nickel with a new coin. To do so, the US Mint hired James Earle Fraser, a former pupil of the renowned Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to develop a coin that would honor the country's frontier legacy in an effort to create a more distinctively American design.  

The most notable feature of the buffalo nickel is the obverse side, for it showcases a composite portrait of several Native American chiefs, namely Iron Tail, Two Moons, and one or two more. On the reverse side, Fraser positioned an American bison that might have been created on the basis of a real animal, i.e., the Black Diamond, a bison that lived in the Central Park Zoo in New York.  

Other coins of that time: 1932 Washington Quarters.

Mintage and Production Details

As for the production sites, the US Mint minted the 1935 Indian head buffalo nickel at three different locations, i.e., Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco in particular. What is peculiar about this instance is that the survival rate of well-preserved examples is significantly lower due to broad circulation and the tendency to wear down quickly, even though the total mintage was quite high.

Philadelphia Mint

The most prevalent type of the Buffalo Nickels in 1935 was manufactured by the Philadelphia Mint, the most productive mint of them all. So as to recognize this variety, one should pay attention to the absence of mint marks (since it is the signature of the site). 

Denver Mint

As such, this iteration is far rarer than its Philadelphia version, with just over 12 million nickels produced. While it is still very abundant in lower grades, Mint State (MS) conditions make it much more difficult to locate.

San Francisco Mint

Out of the three mints, the one located in San Francisco had the smallest mintage figures, with only 10.3 million pieces struck. Although these are not thought to be very rare, collectors tend to look for well-struck specimens with complete details and the "S" mint mark because they are more difficult to get in high grades.

Production Challenges and Wear Issues

The main problem that was torturing manufacturers was that Buffalo Nickels, including the 1935 issue, suffered from design flaws that caused them to wear down quickly in circulation. This could have included the disappearance of key details and dates, which is why well-struck, high-grade instances are treated better.

Errors and Varieties

For the general public, errors might mean something substandard, second-class, or poor. In reality, some notable deviations make coins far more valuable to collectors. In general, they occur due to problems during the minting process, e.g., die misalignment, improper striking, or engraving faults. Below, we present the most notable 1935 buffalo nickel errors with a high value and special collector's appeal.

1. 1935 Buffalo Nickel Double Die Reverse

The Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) is definitely one of the most sought-after errors in a series that presupposes doubling in certain design components (such as "FIVE CENTS" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM"). 

2. Off-Center Strikes

If a numismatic creation was struck while misaligned in the press, the design might turn out to be off-center. To identify this anomaly, look for a section of the design that is either displaced or missing. Besides, the coin could be asymmetrical, with one side being blank. 

3. 1935-D and 1935-S Repunched Mint Mark 

In certain coins from Denver and San Francisco, one may notice the mint marks that were imprinted twice in slightly different locations. This is what a repunched mint mark is.  These types are still well-collected even though they are not as impressive as doubled dies.

4. Clipped Planchet Errors

A clipped planchet occurs when the metal sheet used for minting is misfed into the press, which is why a part of the coin is to be cut off. Remember that there should be no indications of filing or damage, for this error happens before the coin is even minted.  

The 1935 Buffalo Nickel Value

How much is a 1935 buffalo nickel worth? May it be as valuable as Persian gold and silver coins? So as to answer this question, it is vital to understand that the 1935 buffalo nickel worth heavily depends on the type of mint mark, condition, and variety.

Note: The values of 1935 buffalo nickel do fluctuate. To gain the most relevant information, we recommend that you appeal to digital resources like Coin ID Scanner which aggregates data from multiple numismatic databases in real time, identifies key details, verifies authenticity, provides details regarding their origins and market trends, and even more. 

Try it now and ensure you are making the right decisions when buying, selling, or collecting your coins!

Sources: 

1. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1935-5c/3974 

2. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-buffalo-coins/?srsltid=AfmBOorC5Ii8HClCS9X1quQOJ7v0mEIbGrwV8dlkv34_Tp4tujZgLCWp