The 1919-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $15 in heavily worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. This San Francisco minted coin is a favorite among collectors due to its rugged design and the legendary scarcity of well-struck examples from this specific year and mint branch.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $15 – $22 |
| Fine (F-12) | $55 – $75 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $240 – $310 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60+) | $850 – $4,500+ |
Why the 1919-S Buffalo Nickel Is a Rare Find
Finding a 1919-S Buffalo Nickel in your pocket change or an old jar is like finding a small treasure. While the Philadelphia mint produced millions of these coins, the San Francisco mint (denoted by the “S” mint mark) produced a much smaller batch of 7,522,000 coins. While that might sound like a lot, you have to remember that these coins were workhorses of the American economy, used to buy everything from newspapers to subway rides.
Over the decades, most of these coins were worn down until the date literally disappeared. If you are struggling to identify your coin because the details are fuzzy, using the best coin identifier app can help you confirm if you have a genuine 1919-S. Many amateurs mistake the 1919-S for its more common Philadelphia counterpart.
Collectors value the “S” mint mark because San Francisco was known for having “weak strikes” during this era. This means many coins left the mint with blurry features even when they were brand new. Finding one with sharp details is an incredible rarity. This scarcity drives the market, making the CoinHix app a vital tool for anyone trying to track real-time auction trends for this specific date.
Grading Your 1919-S Buffalo Nickel
The value of your 1919-S Buffalo Nickel depends almost entirely on its “grade,” which describes how much wear and tear the coin has endured. Because these coins have a raised date, the numbers are usually the first thing to wear away. A coin where the date is completely flat is worth significantly less than one with four clear digits.
To determine the grade, look at the Native American’s cheekbone and the hair braids on the obverse (front). Then flip it over and look at the bison’s hump and the “tail” area. If those areas are smooth, the coin is in “Good” or “About Good” condition. If you can see the lines in the hair and the texture of the bison’s fur, you are looking at a much more valuable piece.
| Grade Level | Visual Description |
|---|---|
| Good (G) | Date is readable but worn; rims contact letters. |
| Very Fine (VF) | Bison’s horn is half visible; hair detail is present. |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | Traces of original mint luster remain in corners. |
| Mint State (MS) | No wear; looks exactly like the day it was made. |
For those lucky enough to find a coin that still shines, checking the 1919-S Buffalo Nickel mint state auction prices is essential, as the jump from a “circulated” coin to an “uncirculated” one can be thousands of dollars.
How the “S” Mint Mark Impacts Price
The “S” mint mark is located on the reverse (back) of the coin, right under the words “Five Cents” and above the rim. This tiny letter makes a massive difference in price. For instance, a 1919 nickel from Philadelphia in average condition might only be worth $2, but that same coin with an “S” is worth $20 or more.
The reason for this discrepancy is the survival rate. During the Great Depression and the years leading up to it, coins in the West (where San Francisco is) were used until they were nearly unrecognizable. Finding a 1919-S that was saved early on is very difficult. This is why many hobbyists use the CoinHix platform to verify the mint mark position and avoid “counterfeit” marks that people sometimes glue onto common coins.
According to current 1919 nickel value assessments, the San Francisco variant remains one of the most sought-after keys to completing a Buffalo Nickel set, second only to some of the major doubled-die errors and the famous 1913-S Variety 2.
Design Details and History of the Buffalo Nickel
James Earle Fraser designed the Buffalo Nickel, which debuted in 1913. He wanted to capture the true spirit of the American West. The obverse features a composite portrait of three different Native American chiefs: Iron Tail, Big Tree, and Two Moons. The reverse features an American Bison, rumored to be “Black Diamond,” a famous resident of the Central Park Zoo.
By 1919, the U.S. Mint had already made one major adjustment to the design. In early 1913, the bison stood on a “mound” or “hill.” Because this mound wore down too quickly, they changed it to a flat “ground” line. The 1919-S is the “Type 2” design with the flat ground.
Despite the design changes, the date remained in a high-relief spot on the Native American’s shoulder. This was a design flaw that caused millions of nickels to “lose” their dates. If you have a 1919-S where the date is bold and deep, you have a specimen that is highly desirable for its strike quality, which was notoriously poor at the San Francisco mint that year.
Valuable Errors to Look For
While the standard 1919-S is valuable on its own, certain errors can skyrocket the price. When searching through your collection, look for “Doubled Die” errors or “Lamination” errors. A doubled die occurs when the coin is struck by a die that has a shifted image, leading to a blurry or “ghosted” appearance on the lettering or the date.
Lamination errors are common in the 1919-S Buffalo Nickel series due to poor metal quality at the time. This causes the surface of the coin to look like it is peeling or cracking. While some collectors find these unattractive, others pay a premium for dramatic planchet flaws. Always double-check your finds with CoinHix to see if a similar error has recently sold at an auction house like Heritage or Stacks Bowers.
| Error Type | Potential Value Addition |
|---|---|
| Doubled Die Obverse | +$100 – $500 |
| Lamination Crack | +$10 – $50 |
| Off-Center Strike | +$200+ (depending on %) |
Tips for Selling Your 1919-S Buffalo Nickel
If you believe you have a high-value 1919-S, do not clean it! This is the most important rule in coin collecting. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth creates microscopic scratches that can destroy up to 90% of its market value. Collectors prefer a coin with “original skin,” even if it looks dark or toned.
To get the best price, consider having the coin “certified” by a professional service like PCGS or NGC if you think it’s in Mint State condition. Certification provides a guarantee of authenticity and a precise grade, which makes the coin much easier to sell to high-end collectors. For lower-grade coins found in circulation, selling through reputable online marketplaces or local coin shops is usually the fastest way to turn your find into cash.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1919-S Buffalo Nickel?
A: The mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin. Look at the very bottom, underneath the words “FIVE CENTS.” If you see a small “S,” it was minted in San Francisco. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Why is my 1919-S Buffalo Nickel so smooth and hard to read?
A: Buffalo Nickels were designed with the date and the mint mark on raised areas of the coin. Because nickels were used heavily in daily commerce, these parts were the first to rub off. A “slick” coin with no date is unfortunately only worth its weight in nickel or a few cents, but a 1919-S with a faint but readable date still holds significant value.
Q: How can I tell if my 1919-S is a fake?
A: Genuine 1919-S nickels have a specific weight (5 grams) and diameter (21.2 mm). Most fakes are “added mint marks,” where someone glues an “S” onto a Philadelphia coin. Using a high-powered loupe to look for seams around the letter or using a digital identifier app can help you spot these alterations.
Q: Is the 1919-S the most valuable Buffalo Nickel?
A: It is very valuable, but not the most expensive. That title belongs to coins like the 1913-S Variety 2 or the famous 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel. However, in high grades, the 1919-S is considered a major “rarity” that many collectors struggle to find.
