1917-S Buffalo Nickel Value
Expect a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel to trade between about $1.75 and $567, driven almost entirely by grade. Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1917-S Buffalo Nickel value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $1.75 to $2.95 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $2.55 to $4.30 |
| Fine (F-12) | $4.40 to $7.45 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $8.00 to $13.50 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $14.50 to $24.50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $28.00 to $47.50 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $56.00 to $94.50 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $112 to $189 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $336 to $567 |
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.
What is a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel worth right now?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel starts around $1.75. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $567. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1917-S Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1917
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 4,193,000
- Composition
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Earle Fraser
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1917 Buffalo Nickel?
On a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel, the "S" mint mark of the San Francisco 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.
What makes the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel valuable
Production of 4,193,000 was modest for the era, and attrition did the rest. Today the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel is a recognized better date that rewards careful cherry-picking.
Context adds the final layer to the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel. The 1913 Type 1, with the bison on a raised mound, was modified within months to protect the denomination from wear. Owning this date means owning a piece of that story, and demand for the series as a whole sustains liquidity for every issue in it.
Summary: the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel is valued between $1.75 and $567 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.