1926-S Buffalo Nickel Value
Expect a 1926-S Buffalo Nickel to trade between about $44.00 and $7,425, driven almost entirely by grade. See the grade table below for exactly where your coin falls.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $44.00 to $74.50 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $64.00 to $108 |
| Fine (F-12) | $96.00 to $162 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $160 to $270 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $272 to $459 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $448 to $756 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $720 to $1,215 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $1,360 to $2,295 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $4,400 to $7,425 |
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-S Buffalo Nickel selling for today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1926-S Buffalo Nickel starts around $44.00. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $7,425. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1926
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 970,000
- 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 1926 Buffalo Nickel?
On a 1926-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 1926-S Buffalo Nickel valuable
Only 970,000 pieces left the San Francisco Mint, which makes this THE stopper for many Buffalo Nickel collectors. Key-date status means even heavily worn examples carry strong premiums.
Context adds the final layer to the 1926-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 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is valued between $44.00 and $7,425 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.