1931-S Buffalo Nickel Value
A 1931-S Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $44.00 to $7,425 depending on its condition. Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1931-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.
How much is a 1931-S Buffalo Nickel worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1931-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.
1931-S Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1931
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 1,200,000
- 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 to look for the mint mark
On a 1931-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 1931-S Buffalo Nickel valuable
With a mintage of just 1,200,000, the 1931-S Buffalo Nickel is one of the celebrated key dates of the Buffalo Nickel series. Survivors are scarce in every grade, and demand from series collectors keeps prices firm year after year.
The series itself does some of the lifting for the 1931-S Buffalo Nickel: The 1913 Type 1, with the bison on a raised mound, was modified within months to protect the denomination from wear. Broad, multigenerational demand for the design gives every date, including this one, a deep and liquid market.
Summary: the 1931-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.