1928-S Buffalo Nickel Value
Expect a 1928-S Buffalo Nickel to trade between about $0.10 and $38.00, driven almost entirely by grade. The figures below break the range down grade by grade.
1928-S 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 1928-S Buffalo Nickel selling for today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1928-S 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.
1928-S Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1928
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 6,936,000
- 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 S mint mark
On a 1928-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 1928-S Buffalo Nickel valuable
At 6,936,000 struck, scarcity is not the story here. Condition is: well-preserved examples with original luster stand far above the worn majority.
There is history in a 1928 Buffalo Nickel as well. James Earle Fraser's Buffalo nickel is widely judged the most distinctly American coin design ever struck. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
Summary: the 1928-S 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.