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With the exception of varieties, the 1926-S Buffalo nickel is the key date for the series. With a tiny mintage of only 970,000 pieces, the 1926-S nickel proves an extraordinary challenge in all grades, and most especially so above the mid-circulated threshold. Uncirculated specimens at any level are especially rare, and only a couple dozen or so are known in the MS65 range.
The 1926-S Buffalo nickel being so scarce, it is imperative that dealers and collectors take special precautions when handling raw examples. Counterfeits are a concern with any issue, and certainly this is true when discussing rare coins such as this one, which many consider one of the most significant rarities of the 20th century.
Obverse Description
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 Description
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.
Catalog Information
GSID:
3129
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1926
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1926-S
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
970,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3959
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Body: Referring page: http://livetest.greysheet.com/prices/item/1926-s-5c-buffalo-nickel/gsid/3129 GSID: 3129 Title: 1926-S 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1926-S 5c MS
Value By Grade
1926-S 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$162,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $138,000 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
![Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20220224/www_davidlawrence_com_product_2199064_-0.20220224083111332.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $7 – $16,000
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $7 – $16,000
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $13 – $40,200
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $16 – $19,200
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]
![Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/26d-3l-obv.jpeg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $1 – $4,800
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $7 – $3,600
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $80 – $36,000
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $140 – $30,000
1914 5c MS
Worth: $12 – $4,020
1914/(3) 5c MS
Worth: $150 – $50,000
1914-D 5c MS
Worth: $70 – $21,600
1914-S 5c MS
Worth: $22 – $75,000
1915 5c MS
Worth: $4 – $9,600
1915-D 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $18,000
1915-S 5c MS
Worth: $38 – $50,000
1926-S 5C MS64+ PCGS. CAC. ...
$18,300
1926-S 5C XF45 PCGS. CDN: $1,200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 970,000. ...
$1,342
1926-S 5C VF20 PCGS. CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 970,000. ...
$150
1926-S 5C VF25 NGC. CDN: $175 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 970,000. ...
$177
1926-S 5C VF30 NGC. CDN: $240 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 970,000. ...
$256
1926-S Buffalo Nickel. AU-58 (PCGS).
$4,636
1926-S 5C Fine 15 PCGS. CDN: $90 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 970,000. ...
$89
1926-S 5C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: 38 in 55, 300 finer (2/26). CDN: $2,175 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 970,000. ...
$2,440
1926-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-65 (NGC).
$31,200
1926-S 5C VF35 PCGS. CDN: $350 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 970,000. ...
$390
1926-S 5C MS62 PCGS. ...
$7,320
1926-S Buffalo Nickel. VF Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$336
1926-S 5C XF40 PCGS. CDN: $675 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 970,000. ...
$732
1926-S 5C AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (37/361). Mintage 970,000. ...
$1,560
1926-S 5C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (34/325). Mintage 970,000. ...
$1,680
1926-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-63 (PCGS).
$9,600
1926-S 5C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (335/2462). NGC Census: (230/1817). CDN: $60 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mint...
$59
1926-S 5c PCGS VG-8
$55
1926-S 5C MS61 NGC. ...
$7,500
1926-S 5C MS66 NGC. ...
$92,000
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Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
