1926-D Buffalo Nickel Value
A 1926-D Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition. Where your coin lands depends on wear, strike and surface quality.
1926-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.
What is the 1926-D Buffalo Nickel selling for today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1926-D Buffalo Nickel starts around $0.10. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $38.00. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1926-D Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1926
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 5,638,000
- Composition
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Earle Fraser
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
How to find the D mint mark
On a 1926-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.
What makes the 1926-D Buffalo Nickel valuable
Context adds the final layer to the 1926-D Buffalo Nickel. Keys include the 1913-S Type 2, 1921-S, 1924-S and the famous 1937-D three-legged bison, created when a mint worker polished a damaged die. 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.
5,638,000 pieces left the presses, so survivors remain plentiful. Pricing tracks bullion and grade, with gems carrying the only substantial premiums.
Summary: the 1926-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.