Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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The 1920 Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $1.50 in heavily worn condition to over $150 in high-grade uncirculated condition. This classic “Indian Head” coin is a favorite among collectors, and finding one in your change or an old jar is an exciting link to American history.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Fine (F-12) | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $65.00 – $90.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS-65+) | $250.00+ |
Understanding the 1920 Buffalo Nickel with No Mint Mark
If you have a 1920 Buffalo Nickel and cannot find a small letter below the date or on the reverse, you have a coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint. In the world of numismatics, the absence of a mint mark signifies Philadelphia’s primary production. In 1920, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 63 million of these nickels, making them relatively common compared to their Denver or San Francisco counterparts. However, “common” does not mean “worthless,” especially when considering the age of the coin.
Identifying your coin accurately is the first step toward determining its true market price. For beginners, using a top coin identifier app can save hours of manual research by instantly recognizing the strike and date. By using the CoinKnow app, you can quickly verify that your coin lacks a mint mark and get a baseline idea of its rarity.
While 63 million might sound like a large number, the vast majority of these coins were used heavily in commerce. During the 1920s, a nickel could buy a loaf of bread or a subway ride, leading to significant wear and tear. Finding a 1920 nickel today that still retains the fine details of the Native American’s hair or the buffalo’s tail is quite rare, which is why collectors pay a premium for high-quality specimens.
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The History and Design of James Earle Fraser’s Masterpiece
The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, was designed by the famous sculptor James Earle Fraser. First released in 1913, it was intended to capture the spirit of the American West. The obverse features a composite portrait of three different Native American chiefs: Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree. The reverse showcases an American Bison, famously modeled after “Black Diamond,” a buffalo that lived in the Central Park Zoo.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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By 1920, the design had been in circulation for seven years. One major flaw of the design was that the date was positioned on a raised area of the Indian’s shoulder. This made the date susceptible to wearing away quickly. If you have a 1920 nickel where the date is still crisp and bold, you are looking at a much higher value than a “dateless” nickel.
Many people use CoinKnow to check if their coins have “restored” dates, which can happen when chemicals are used to bring back a faded year. While this helps identify the coin, it usually lowers the collector value. To understand the current market trends, reviewing the latest 1920 Buffalo Nickel value data can help you see how historical significance translates into modern dollars.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Grading the 1920 Buffalo Nickel No Mint Mark
Grading is the process of determining a coin’s condition, which is the single most important factor in its value. Professional graders use a 70-point scale. For an everyday person, you can categorize your coin into four main buckets: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated. A coin in “Good” condition will be very flat, with the buffalo’s horn virtually invisible.
In “Fine” condition, the buffalo’s horn should be about half visible, and the Indian’s braid will show some detail. By the time you reach “Uncirculated” grades, the coin looks like it just left the mint, with a distinct luster or “shininess” that reflects light in a cartwheel pattern. If you believe your coin is in exceptional shape, you might want to look at the high-grade price guide for 1920 Buffalo Nickels to see what “Mint State” versions are fetching at auction.
| Grade Group | Visual Description | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| About Good (AG-3) | Date is barely legible; rim is worn into the design. | $1.00 – $1.50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Indian’s cheekbone is worn; buffalo horn is 75% visible. | $10.00 – $15.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Slight wear on high points; most original luster remains. | $35.00 – $50.00 |
Key Varieties and Errors to Look For
While the 1920 Philadelphia nickel is not known for a massive amount of “mega-rarities” compared to other years, there are still interesting varieties that collectors hunt for. One common area of interest is the “Lamination Error.” This occurs when the metal of the coin flakes or peels due to impurities in the alloy. While these don’t always add huge value, they make the coin unique to collectors of mint errors.
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Another thing to look for is a “Double Die” strike. This happens when the die used to stamp the coin has a doubled image, which then transfers to the nickel. On a 1920 nickel, look closely at the lettering of “LIBERTY” or the date. If you see clear doubling of the numbers or letters, your coin could be worth significantly more than a standard strike.
Tools like CoinKnow are excellent for zooming in on these details. Because many of these errors are microscopic, using a high-resolution photo through an app can reveal hidden features you might miss with the naked eye. Always keep an eye out for “die cracks”—fine raised lines on the surface of the coin—which indicate the equipment was failing during production.
How to Sell Your 1920 Buffalo Nickel
Once you’ve identified your coin and estimated its grade, you might want to turn it into cash. There are several avenues for selling. Local coin shops are the fastest way to get paid, though they typically offer 50-70% of the retail value because they need to make a profit. If you have a high-value uncirculated coin, selling through an auction house or an online marketplace like eBay might net you a higher price.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Before selling, it is vital to never clean your coin. This is the biggest mistake beginners make. Scrubbing a 1920 nickel with baking soda or metal polish creates tiny scratches that ruin its numismatic value. A dirty, dark, original coin is always worth more than a shiny, cleaned one. Collectors value the “patina”—the natural aging process of the metal.
If you are unsure of the value, check online sold listings. Don’t look at what people are asking for the coin; look at what people have actually paid. This gives you a realistic expectation of the market. Most 1920 Philadelphia nickels found in old collections are in the “Good” to “Fine” range, meaning they are worth a few dollars—great for a snack or a start to a new hobby!
Frequently Asked Questions about 1920 Buffalo Nickels
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1920 Buffalo Nickel?
A: The mint mark (if there is one) is located on the back (reverse) of the coin, directly below the “FIVE CENTS” text. If that area is blank, your coin was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Why is the date on my 1920 nickel so hard to read?
A: The date was placed on a high point of the design. Because it was “raised,” it rubbed against other coins and fingers more often, causing it to wear away faster than the rest of the design.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Q: Is a dateless 1920 Buffalo Nickel worth anything?
A: Buffalo nickels with no visible date generally only sell for their “bulk” value, which is usually around 10 to 25 cents. Collectors prefer coins where the date is clearly legible.
Q: How can I tell if my 1920 nickel is silver?
A: It is not silver. Buffalo nickels are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Only “War Nickels” (minted from 1942–1945) contain silver, and those have a large mint mark above the building (Monticello) on the back.
Q: Is 1920 a rare year for Buffalo Nickels?
A: It is not considered a “key date” (rare year), as millions were produced. However, it is a “semi-key” in very high uncirculated grades because so few survived in perfect condition.