1938-D Buffalo Nickel Value
The 1938-D Buffalo Nickel carries a current retail range of about $0.10 to $38.00 across circulated and Mint State grades. See the grade table below for exactly where your coin falls.
1938-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 2026-06-13. 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 a 1938-D Buffalo Nickel worth right now?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1938-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.
1938-D Buffalo Nickel specifications
- Series
- Buffalo Nickel
- Year
- 1938
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 7,020,000
- 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 1938 Buffalo Nickel?
On a 1938-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 1938-D Buffalo Nickel valuable
7,020,000 pieces left the presses, so survivors remain plentiful. Pricing tracks bullion and grade, with gems carrying the only substantial premiums.
Context adds the final layer to the 1938-D Buffalo Nickel. The design's artistry came at a practical cost: the date sat on a raised shoulder that wore away quickly, which is why countless 'dateless' Buffalos survive. 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 1938-D Buffalo Nickel is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.