1936-D Buffalo Nickel Value

A 1936-D Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition. Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.

19365 CENTS5 CENTS
Illustrative rendering. Photographs of this date are being added.

1936-D Buffalo Nickel value by grade

1936-D Buffalo Nickel value by grade
GradeEstimated 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.

How much is a 1936-D Buffalo Nickel worth today?

Figure roughly $0.10 as the realistic floor for a damage-free, well-worn 1936-D Buffalo Nickel, rising steadily through the grades to about $38.00 for a certified gem. Cleaned or damaged coins trade below these figures.

1936-D Buffalo Nickel specifications

Series
Buffalo Nickel
Year
1936
Mint mark
D
Mintage
24,814,000
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 1936 Buffalo Nickel?

Denver's "D" is the letter that defines the 1936-D Buffalo Nickel. On the reverse, below FIVE CENTS at the bottom On heavily circulated coins the mark wears down with everything else, so check carefully before assuming a Philadelphia strike.

What makes the 1936-D Buffalo Nickel valuable

The generous mintage of 24,814,000 keeps this date affordable. That availability is an asset for collectors: it is the textbook choice for owning the Buffalo Nickel design without a key-date price tag.

There is history in a 1936 Buffalo Nickel as well. Well-struck, fully dated examples are the series' quiet condition rarities. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.

Summary: the 1936-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.