1916 Nickel MS Values

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1916 Nickel MS Values

Details

With a mintage of nearly 63.5 million, the 1916 Buffalo nickels from the Philadelphia Mint boast the highest mintage for the series of any issue from the 1910s. These pieces are plentiful in all circulated grades and even in uncirculated. Moreover, it’s among the easiest to locate in mid-Gem range among any of the Buffalo nickels struck from the mid 1910s through early 1920s. However, the coin is scarce in MS66 and decidedly difficult in MS67.

Obverse: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.

Reverse: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface.

Basic Information

GSID:

3081

Coin Date:

1916

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Philadelphia

Mintage:

63,497,466

Coinage Type:

Buffalo nickel

Coinage Years:

1913-1938

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

5 gr

Weight:

0.1608 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.2 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, 1916

Obverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS

Reverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

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