1917-D Buffalo Nickel Value
A 1917-D Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition. Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1917-D Buffalo Nickel value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $0.10 to $0.15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.10 to $0.20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.20 to $0.35 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.40 to $0.70 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.80 to $1.35 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $3.20 to $5.40 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $7.20 to $12.00 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $22.50 to $38.00 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1917-D Buffalo Nickel worth today?
At the entry level, well-worn examples bring about $0.10. The same coin in gem uncirculated condition is a $38.00 coin. Grade is everything: two examples of the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel can differ in price by an order of magnitude based purely on preservation.
1917-D Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1917
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 9,910,000
- Composition
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Earle Fraser
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Identifying the Denver mint mark
On a 1917-D Buffalo Nickel, the "D" mint mark of the Denver Mint sits on the reverse, below FIVE CENTS at the bottom. A loupe helps: on worn examples the letter can fade into the surrounding devices.
Where this coin's value comes from
Branch-mint issues of the 1920s, struck from overused dies, are notorious for weak strikes. For the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel, the enduring popularity of the series translates directly into buyers in every grade and every market cycle.
With 9,910,000 struck, the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel is one of the more available dates of its series. Its value rests on metal content and condition rather than absolute rarity, which makes it an ideal type coin.
Summary: the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.