1917-S Buffalo Nickel Value: How Much Is This Coin Worth?

The 1917-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $15 in heavily worn condition to over $10,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. Finding one of these in your change or an old jar is an exciting discovery because the “S” mint mark signifies a lower production volume from the San Francisco Mint.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$15 – $25
Fine (F-12)	$55 – $80
Extremely Fine (XF-40)	$180 – $250
Uncirculated (MS-60+)	$750 – $12,000+

Why the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel Is a Key Find

If you have stumbled upon an old nickel and noticed the distinct Native American portrait on the front, you have a Buffalo Nickel (also known as the Indian Head Nickel). The 1917-S version is particularly special to collectors because the San Francisco Mint produced fewer of these compared to the Philadelphia Mint. Identifying your coin accurately is the first step to knowing if you have a modest treasure. Many beginners use a top coin identifier app to quickly discern the date and mint mark of their finds.

The 1917-S Buffalo Nickel belongs to the early years of the series, which ran from 1913 to 1938. Coins from this era often saw heavy circulation, meaning many surviving pieces are worn flat. Finding one where the date is still clearly visible is a win for any casual hunter. Using tools like CoinKnow can help you organize your collection and monitor the changing market prices for these copper-nickel pieces.

Collectors value the 1917-S because of its scarcity in higher grades. While millions were minted, very few were saved in pristine condition during World War I. This disparity between the number of worn coins and “Mint State” coins creates a massive jump in value as the quality of the coin improves.

How to Identify the Mint Mark on Your 1917 Nickel

Before you get too excited about the price, you must verify that your coin actually features the “S” mint mark. On the Buffalo Nickel, the mint mark is located on the reverse (the back) of the coin, right underneath the words “FIVE CENTS” and the buffalo’s mound. If there is no letter there, it was minted in Philadelphia. If there is a “D,” it came from Denver.

The “S” stands for San Francisco, and in 1917, this mint struck only 4,192,000 nickels. While that sounds like a lot, it is relatively low for a coin meant for nationwide circulation. Over the last century, most have been lost or worn down so much that the date has vanished entirely. If you can see the 1917 date and the small “S” on the back, you are holding a coin that carries a significant premium over its face value.

For those unsure about the tiny markings, CoinKnow provides high-resolution reference images to compare with your coin. Looking at detailed historical pricing for the 1917 nickel can also help you understand how the mint mark impacts the final dollar amount you might receive from a buyer.

Detailed Grading Guide for the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel

Grading is the process of determining a coin’s condition, and for the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel, air-tight grading is essential for an accurate valuation. Professional collectors use a 1-70 scale, but for everyday Americans, we can break it down into four main categories. The difference between a “Fine” coin and an “Uncirculated” coin can be thousands of dollars.

Grade Category	Visual Appearance
Good (G)	The date is readable but very faint. The buffalo’s horn is missing.
Fine (F)	The date is bold. The buffalo’s horn is about half visible.
Extremely Fine (XF)	Most details are sharp. Only slight wear on the native’s cheek and the buffalo’s hip.
Mint State (MS)	No wear at all. The coin has its original “luster” or shine.

When assessing your coin, look closely at the Native American’s braid and the buffalo’s tail. These are the “high points” that wear down first. If those areas are flat and smooth, your coin is likely in the “Good” or “About Good” range. If you see intricate lines in the hair or tail, you may have a high-value item. Checking current valuations for high-grade 1917-S nickels is recommended if your coin still has a shiny appearance.

The “No Date” Problem and Its Effect on Value

A common issue with the Buffalo Nickel series is that the date was placed on a raised part of the design. Because of this, the date was the first thing to wear off as the coin moved through pockets and cash registers. This is why you will often see “dateless” Buffalo Nickels in junk bins at coin shops.

Unfortunately, a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel with no visible date is worth very little—usually less than $1. Collectors pay for the date and the mint mark. If the date is partially worn but you can still make out the “1917,” it still holds value. Some people use “Nic-A-Date” (an acid) to reveal hidden dates, but be warned: this damages the coin and severely limits its resale value to serious collectors.

If you have a handful of old nickels and can’t tell what they are, the CoinKnow app’s recognition technology can sometimes help identify faint details that the naked eye misses. It is always better to double-check before assuming a worn coin is worthless.

Market Trends and Selling Your 1917-S Nickel

The market for 1917-S Buffalo Nickels has remained remarkably stable over the years. Because it is a “better date” coin, there is always demand from collectors trying to complete a full set of the series. Unlike more common years like 1936 or 1937, the 1917-S is viewed as a semi-key date.

When you are ready to sell, you have several options. For lower-grade coins worth $20 to $50, local coin shops or eBay are your best bet. If you believe your coin is in exceptional condition (Mint State), you should consider having it “certified” by a service like PCGS or NGC. A certified coin often sells for much more because the buyer has a guarantee of its authenticity and grade.

Sales Venue	Pros	Cons
Local Coin Dealer	Instant cash, lower risk.	Likely to offer 50-70% of retail price.
Online Auctions (eBay)	Large audience, high potential price.	Fees and shipping risks.
Major Auction Houses	Best for $1,000+ coins.	Long wait times for sales.

Final Tips for New Coin Collectors

Owning a piece of American history like the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel is a great feeling. To preserve its value, never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with soap, polish, or even a soft cloth can create microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. A “dirty” original coin is almost always worth more than a “shiny” cleaned one.

Keep your nickels in a cool, dry place. Moisture can cause spotting or corrosion, which is particularly harmful to the copper-nickel alloy of the Buffalo series. If you find yourself catching the “coin bug,” downloading an app like CoinKnow is a fantastic way to start cataloging your finds and learning about the nuances of Buffalo Nickels, Mercury Dimes, and other classic American currency.

Whether you’re looking to sell or just curious about what’s in your dresser drawer, the 1917-S is a classic example of how a small piece of metal can hold significant value over a century later.

FAQ

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1917 Buffalo Nickel?

A: The mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin. Look at the bottom of the coin, directly underneath the words “FIVE CENTS” where the buffalo is standing on a mound. An “S” indicates San Francisco, a “D” indicates Denver, and no letter means it was made in Philadelphia.

Q: Why is my 1917-S Buffalo Nickel worth more than a 1917 Philadelphia nickel?

A: It comes down to rarity. The San Francisco Mint (S) produced about 4.1 million nickels in 1917, while the Philadelphia Mint produced over 51 million. Because the 1917-S is much harder to find, collectors are willing to pay a much higher premium for it.

Q: Can I clean my old nickel to make it look better?

A: No! You should never clean any collectible coin. Collectors prefer the original “patina” or toning that comes with age. Even gentle cleaning can reduce the value of a rare coin like the 1917-S by 50% or more.

Q: Is there a “Double Die” error for the 1917 Buffalo Nickel?

A: While there are no major, highly famous double dies for the 1917-S specifically that match the level of the 1916 Doubled Die, collectors always look for minor doubling on the date or the lettering. These errors can add a small premium to the coin’s value.