1918 S Buffalo Nickel Value Guide and Price Chart

The 1918-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $15 in heavily worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. This San Francisco minted classic is a favorite among collectors due to its rugged American imagery and the distinct “S” mint mark that often signifies a lower production run.

History and Identifying the 1918-S Buffalo Nickel

The 1918-S Buffalo Nickel belongs to the iconic series designed by James Earle Fraser, featuring a stoic Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Finding one of these in your change or an old jar is an exciting moment for any casual collector. To confirm you have the San Francisco variety, you need to look at the reverse side of the coin. Use a top coin identifier app to get a clear close-up view of the area under the words “FIVE CENTS.” If you see a small “S” below the mound the buffalo stands on, you have found a coin struck at the San Francisco Mint.

During 1918, the United States was deeply involved in World War I, and economic demands led to high circulation for nickels. Because these coins were used so frequently in daily commerce, most surviving examples are heavily worn. If you find one with a visible date, you already have a piece of history that holds value. Many casual finders use the CoinKnow app to quickly scan the condition of their coins to see if the finer details, like the buffalo’s horn or the Indian’s cheekbone, are still visible, as these features drastically change the price.

Grading and Condition Factors for 1918-S Nickels

When determining the value of your 1918-S Buffalo Nickel, condition is everything. Numismatists use a scale from 1 to 70 to grade coins. For most “pocket change” finds, you will likely encounter “Good” or “Very Good” grades. In these states, the date is readable but the buffalo’s horn is usually missing, and the legends are worn close to the rim. Even in this humble state, the 1918-S remains a sought-after coin because it is much harder to find than the Philadelphia issues from the same year.

For those lucky enough to find a “Fine” or “Extremely Fine” specimen, the value jumps significantly. In “Fine” condition, about half of the buffalo’s horn should be visible. In “About Uncirculated” or “Mint State” conditions, the coin retains its original luster and looks as if it just left the San Francisco Mint over a century ago. You can find detailed 1918-S Buffalo Nickel auction records that show how pristine coins can sell for thousands of dollars at major auction houses. Using CoinKnow can help you compare your coin against high-resolution images of various grades.

Current Market Value and Price Reference Chart

The market for Buffalo Nickels is quite stable, but the 1918-S carries a premium because its mintage was only about 4.8 million—significantly lower than the 32 million struck in Philadelphia that year. Generally, any 1918-S with a clear date is worth at least $10 to $15. If the coin has “full rims” and the “S” is sharp, you are looking at a much higher price point.

Below is a breakdown of the estimated market values based on the current grading standards. Please note that professional certification by services like PCGS or NGC may be required to reach the highest price tiers. You can check more current 1918 Buffalo Nickel price data to see how values fluctuate based on the specific mint mark and the presence of errors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value (USD)
Good (G-4)	$15 – $22
Fine (F-12)	$45 – $65
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$180 – $250
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$450 – $600
Uncirculated (MS-60)	$1,100 – $1,350
Choice Mint State (MS-65+)	$3,500+

The 1918/7-D Overdate Rarity

While you are examining your 1918 nickels, it is vital to check for one of the most famous errors in American numismatics: the 1918/7-D overdate. Although this specific error occurred at the Denver Mint, it is worth noting for anyone browsing a 1918 collection. This happened when a 1917 hub was used to impress a die that was then finished with a 1918 hub, creating a visible “7” underneath the “8”.

Even though your “S” mint nickel won’t have this specific Denver error, 1918 was a year of many die variations across all mints. Keep an eye out for “lamination errors” or “die cracks,” which look like raised lines on the coin’s surface. These small imperfections can sometimes add a unique premium for collectors who specialize in Mint Errors. If you are unsure of what you are looking at, the CoinKnow community and scanning tools can help identify these rare anomalies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1918-S Buffalo Nickel?

A: The mint mark is located on the reverse (tails side) of the coin. Look directly beneath the words “FIVE CENTS” and the mound of dirt the buffalo is standing on. A small “S” indicates the San Francisco Mint.

Q: Is a dateless 1918-S Buffalo Nickel worth anything?

A: Buffalo Nickels are notorious for having dates that wear away. If the date is completely gone, the coin is usually worth only about $0.50 to $1.00 as “filler.” However, since the “S” mint mark is still valuable, a dateless 1918-S might still fetch $2 to $5 from a specialized collector.

Q: Why is the San Francisco (S) version more expensive than the Philadelphia version?

A: The San Francisco Mint produced significantly fewer nickels in 1918 compared to the main Philadelphia Mint. Lower supply combined with high demand from collectors wanting to complete their sets drives the price of the “S” variety higher.

Q: How can I tell if my nickel is “Mint State”?

A: A Mint State coin will have no signs of wear on the highest points, such as the Indian’s hair braid or the buffalo’s hip. It should also have “mint luster,” a frosty or satiny sheen that reflects light in a wagon-wheel pattern when rotated.