The 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel: Minting Error Becoming a Legend

In the world of numismatics you can hear many interesting stories about unique and rare coins and their mysteries. But as legendary as the 3 legged Buffalo nickel is not every coin. When a coin leaves the mint for circulation, it is expected to be new, shiny and almost perfect.

However, the coin, the secrets of which we will tell you below, became an exception to the rule and gained legendary status due to its specific feature (or even flaw, if you prefer). 1937 3 legged Buffalo nickel is one of the coins where an accidental minting error has created not just a unique specimen, but a legend among collectors. How did it happen that the buffalo “lost” one of its legs?  And why did this mistake turn an ordinary coin into iconic 1937 3 legged buffalo nickel worth tens of thousands of dollars?

1937 Nickel: 3 Legged Buffalo and Other Details

Details

So, let's start with the basics and first of all talk about the main features of this amazing coin in more detail.

• Year of issue: 1937 (much before the 1971 Eisenhower Dollar)
  

• Mint: Denver (mark “D”)

• Metal: 75% copper, 25% nickel

• Diameter: 21.2 mm

• Weight: 5 grams

• Special Feature: Absence of the buffalo's front right leg on the reverse

The 1937 Buffalo nickle was minted only at the Denver mint, which is why the coin is also known as “1937 d 3 legged buffalo nickel” (d is a mint mark, showing the identity of the coin to the mint). Other mints in Philadelphia and San Francisco did not issue the coin.

Design

The obverse of the 1937 Buffalo Nickel features the profile of an American Indian, by James Fraser (the sculptor was inspired by famous Native American chiefs). This obverse design was not chosen by chance but was an attempt to pay tribute to the endangered Native American culture.  

The Indian in the portrait is depicted in a traditional headdress, he has a proud, solemn, but serious look. The master was inspired by portraits of real Indians, which makes the image especially expressive and realistic. The profile of the Indian is surrounded by the inscription “LIBERTY” and the year of issue.

The reverse of the buffalo nickel 1937 d is decorated, as is clear from the name, with the figure of a buffalo. The prototype of the minted image was a real animal - a bison named Black Diamond, which lived in the New York Zoo. The bison embodied the spirit of freedom and the power of nature, so representative of the American landscapes of the time. The upper part of the reverse contains the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, and the lower part shows the denomination “FIVE CENTS”.

Minting Error: The Secret of the “Lost” Leg

Anyway, what happened to the 1937 Buffalo nickel, 3 legged animal and how did it affect the 3 legged Buffalo nickel value?

The 1937 d Buffalo nickel became famous due to a unique minting error. In 1937, the mint experienced a failure of the dies while producing coins. Over time, coinage equipment wears out and needs to be repaired. In order to correct existing defects in the die, it had to be polished to restore the clarity of the image and improve the stamp durability.

The Buffalo nickel three legs error occurred due to over-polishing of the die used at the Denver Mint. Workers who noticed heavy wear on the die and consequent damage in the buffalo leg area on the coin decided to correct the situation by polishing it to avoid further problems. However, during the polishing process, the workers overdid it and polished the worn part of the die too much, resulting in the disappearance of the right leg of the animal on the final prints.

Instead of creating a new die, the Mint continued to use the already repaired one. The result was a series of three leg Buffalo nickel coins.

This defect was not immediately noticed and eliminated (the first mentions of the error on this coin appeared in 1940) and some of the coins went into circulation. But later collectors noticed this defect, which surprisingly made the 1937 d buffalo nickel value high and the coin gained its crazy popularity. 

Related article: Eisenhower 1976 Bicentennial Dollars. 

Price and Value

1937 d three legged Buffalo nickel is interesting not only from a historical perspective, but also has significant investment potential. Its rarity makes it an attractive long-term investment. Collectors and investors often view such coins as a stable investment that can maintain and even increase in value over time.

How much is a 3 legged Buffalo nickel worth? There are several factors to keep in mind here:

1. The value of a coin depends on its condition. In good state, 1937 d buffalo nickel value can go for several thousand dollars. In 2018, one such coin sold for a record amount of over $40,000!
   

   

2. The rarity of the coin also plays not the least role in its pricing. Opinions on the number of surviving specimens vary, but it is believed that there are only about 100-150 pieces left. This makes the coin one of the rarest and most desirable among collectors. However, most of these coins are already in private collections, so finding 1937 d 3 legged buffalo nickel for sale is not an easy task.

How to Recognize an Authentic Three-Legged Nickel?

If you do find your treasure and intend to purchase it, then follow some simple advice to avoid spending a fortune on a fake. Now, the points you need to know to make sure that the three-legged nickel is authentic:

1. Check the mint mark. This coin should have a “D” (Denver) mint mark on the obverse, next to the date “1937”.

2. Missing leg. Carefully examine the reverse of the coin: the front right leg of the buffalo should be completely missing, and in its place, there may be only a faint trace.

3. Use professional grading tools. Avid collectors, amateurs and even professionals can use coin collecting applications such as Coin ID Scanner to be sure of the authenticity of their coins. This app allows users to identify coins, verify their authenticity and determine their value (which is especially important for those who are going to invest in rare pieces).

The three-legged bison nickel isn't just a minting error, it's a symbol of the way one small accident can turn into a legend that lives on for decades. For each of us, it's a cautionary tale and a reminder that “twists” are sometimes valued far more than perfection. So the next time you're sorting through old coins, take a close look at them. Maybe among them you'll find that rare special coin you've been striving to get hold of.