Whitman Expo
1919-S Nickel MS Values
Details
The 1919-S Buffalo nickel is a highly scarce San Francisco issue, with uncirculated examples proving rare and Gems nearly elusive. Finding a well-struck specimen with decent, even color can be harder still. The mintage of this coin stands at 7,521,000, which actually is nowhere near the lowest production figure for any of the early Buffalo nickels. However, relatively few of these pieces were saved by collectors in any grade and an estimated number of fewer than 1,000 were kept in uncirculated condition.
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.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
7,521,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
Mint Mark:
S
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, 1919
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Feedback:
![Red Book Podcast with John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett [Video]](https://images.greysheet.com/l/blogs/20260417/b30b4ba0-dc36-41c3-9c77-c26fa7c27498.png)
