The buffalo nickel is one of the rarest coins in circulation. The value can only be determined by looking at what’s on it, with a mintmark being worth more than the face amount if there are readable dates or not too much wear from use. The popularity and demand for these metal pieces have made them tough to come across even when they’re still in good condition.
Suppose you have a 1913-1938 Buffalo nickel with a readable date. The mint mark on the coin tells us something about its quality and origin, which can be useful when deciding whether or not to trade up for another type of currency from another era.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value: What’s It Worth?
1937 buffalo nickels were minted between 1913 and 1938, so it could be worth something if you have one from 1937.
To help determine the 1937 buffalo nickel value, we need a little more information:
- The condition of 1937 buffalo nickel (how nice is it?)
- The mint that made 1937 buffalo nickel (Which Mint?) :
- The quantity of 1937 buffalo nickels minted:
- Any unique markings on 1937 buffalo nickel: (Is there anything special about your coin such as pre-punched mint marks, over dates as compared with others online?)
- Availability of 1937 buffalo nickel:
- 1937 buffalo nickel value:
If you want to find the 1937 buffalo nickel value and sell your coins online, please check our article about selling 1937 Buffalo Nickels for top dollar at coin auctions.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Value Guide: What Is Their Value?
The 1937 buffalo nickels were minted between 1913 and 1938, so it could be worth something if you have one from 1937. The most important thing that will affect the 1937 buffalo nickel value is its condition. A nice-looking coin with very little wear will fetch a lot more than a coin that looks like it was used as an ice scraper on the surface of the moon! To determine what kind of shape 1937 buffalo nickels are in (in general), you can read the 1937 buffalo nickel value guide.
1937 Buffalo Nickel Values: What’s The Deal?
What’s the deal? The answer is simple: 1937-D and 1937-S Buffalo nickels were made at different mints, so they have different values. To find out what other coins were produced at any of these mints (and their 1937 buffalo nickel value), they mention below: let’s have a look.
The 1937-P, 1937-D & 1937-S Buffalo Nickels Had A Combined Mintage Of Just Over 6.7 Million 1937 buffalo nickels.
The 1937-P, 1937-D & 1937-S Buffalo Nickels Were Minted At The Philadelphia Mint Or “P,” Denver Mint Or “D,” And San Francisco Mint or “S” 1937 buffalo nickels.
The History of America’s Favorite Coin: The Buffalo Nickel
The first buffalo nickel was designed by J.E. Fraser in 1913 and had an American Indian design on its obverse. The Buffalo nickel is one of the most popular coins in American history, but it didn’t start that way. Designed by James Earle Fraser for use as currency on Native American reservations and featuring an image meant to represent peace between settlers (a buffalo) and native Americans).
Unfortunately, there was one design flaw: when people put their nickels under stamps or dollars so they could save space by not rolling up bills -the 5 cents would wear off before long. This problem wasn’t noticed until 1913 when new legislation mandated recessed Minting depths below rim levels-but even then, mistakes happened.
A Coin with a Historically Significant Design
Before the 1937 nickel, there was no U.S. money with a denomination of 5 cents or more. Due to a lack of variety in coin designs at the time, the U.S. Mint decided to design this denomination with a symbolic representation of liberty on its obverse side.
There was a demand for coins during the Great Depression. Coin shortages sparked a spike in demand. Due to their tiny size and low purchasing power, many 5-cent pieces were withdrawn by the Federal Reserve.
The Passing of the Golden Age: The Coinage Act of 1935
As a result, the Coinage Act of 1935 was passed. This law mandated that all U.S. coins be raised in size and weight to maintain their purchasing power.
F. E. Scallon, the director of the Philadelphia Mint, oversaw the initial strike of this commemorative issue and its round number. On behalf of the citizens of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt was presented with this newly produced coin by the mint.
Identify What Kind of Coin You Have
The world of coins is Not just one type, but Five different styles offer unique features. The final digit in a coin’s date will dictate what kind it may be; for instance, if 3 were written on an old nickel, then this would mean you have found yourself some Type III Nickels which are known to come up quite often.
Dollar Values for 1937 Buffalo Nickel Type 1: $2.26 – $41.73
In 1913, James Earle Fraser developed the Buffalo nickel, which replaced the Liberty Head quarter US$ as the country’s 5 cents currency. When silver prices were high enough to produce a quarter daily during World War I, the piece outsold silver quarters.
In New York City’s Central Park Zoo, Fraser saw a buffalo named Black Diamond and decided to model the American bison after him. “Buffalo” is both a Native American term and a name for buffalo species.
Type 1 of the 1937 era (Buffalo) Price of a Nickel in the United States: $2.26 – $5.33
Both the 1937 “No-VDB” and the 1937 “V-Nickel” Depending on the condition, a buffalo nickel may be worth anywhere from $2.26 for a common, extensively circulated coin to $41.73 for one that retains its original mint shine.
Its value ranges from $2.26 to $41.73 for the 1937 Buffalo Nickel without a VDB.
An August 2010 Heritage Auction announced the highest auction price for a 1937 buffalo nickel without the “VDB” (Victoria David Brenner initials) on the reverse. A second coin sold for half as much at the auction, suggesting that it had a real market worth. It’s impossible to argue that these coins don’t exist, even if some numismatists believe they’re fakes.
By examining the first number of the year, you can tell if a coin is a genuine 1937 Type 1 buffalo nickel without the inscription “VDB.” As long as it’s an “8,” you’re holding the correct coin. Fraser’s signature may be seen on every authentic Buffalo nickel, and it can be found on either side of number 8. For fear of being utilized as Japanese propaganda against the United States, these phrases were edited or omitted. As a result, any coin with these lines on it is regarded as a fake.
Price range: $5 to $41 for 1937 V-Nickel
You’ve got a 1937 “V-nickel” if you can see these lines on your buffalo nickel, and it doesn’t have a “VDB.” By looking at the inscription and style of “FIVE” on your coin, you can tell if it is a real 1937 V-Nickel or a fake. Most of its detail has been lost in a flat matte manner. Fake V-Nickels feature more apparent details in this location than authentic ones.
Value: $1.18 for a 1937 Type 2 Buffalo Nickel
For a 1937 Doubled Die Buffalo Nickel, you should expect to pay at least $2,500
Different from Type 1 is the reverse design of the second 1937 Buffalo Nickel type. An American bison or buffalo is shown. However, it lacks the level of exquisite detail of its predecessor. When compared to a coin without a “D” mintmark, the ground beneath the surface of the Black Diamond’s hooves is higher on this kind.
The 1937-Nickel Coin’s Denominational Value
Since 1866, the United States has produced the nickel five-cent piece. We’re left with a slew of coins that are still very valuable after more than a century. One such coin is the 1937 nickel. The 5-cent coin was designed by Felix Schlag and introduced in 1937. Therefore, a 1937 nickel coin has a face value of $0.05.
What is the value of the 1937-Nickel coin’s metal?
The 1937 nickel coin comprises 75% copper and 25% nickel. It has a mass of 5 g. In today’s market, a pound of metal is worth around $0.08. On the other hand, collectors prize the items’ provenance and scarcity.
A table identifying “keys” may be found in the Red Book’s third version dated 1946. (rare coins categorized as having extreme value). There’s a 1937-D nickel marketed for $15 in Good condition and $400 in Mint State 63, which is an incredible price difference.
If you have a coin that isn’t identified as belonging to one of the specific groupings like war nickels, mercury D, etc., it will be worth its metal content plus or minus any numismatic value.
Which Pawnshop Is Offering The 1937 Nickel?
Everything hinges on the coin’s condition. Its resale value decreases with time and use. A 1937 nickel U.S. coin may get between $2 and $20 at the pawnshop in good condition.
Scrap Metal Value of US Nickels: Mint Markings
Rareness has no bearing on the scrap metal value of U.S. nickels, but mint markings, which appear below the date on the coin’s reverse and indicate the coin’s denomination, have a significant impact.
U.S. nickels in good shape and not rusted are worth the most scrap metal. Instead of being constructed of copper-nickel alloy, these nickels date back to 1982 or before if they have a silver “cent” symbol on their reverse or are alloyed with silver (since 1866).
Thomas Boseman is the author of Pawnbroking.com. A pawn shop owner by day, blog writer by night. When not writing, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his dog, Roman. Thomas received his bachelor of arts in film from the University of Arizona. A Brooklyn native, Thomas is a lover of filmmaking, motorcycle, and coffee.