1936-S Nickel MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop CAC

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop Whitman

1936-S Nickel MS Values

Details

The 1936-S Buffalo nickel is a grossly common issue, though the scarcest of the regular strikes for the short period of 1936 through 1938. By the mid 1930s, collectors were looking for and saving 1936-S Buffalo nickels and other dates, too, for inclusion in the coin albums and coin boards of the era, which were just coming into vogue among numismatists. Certainly many rolls were saved as this issue is common even in uncirculated condition. Dozens have been slabbed by PCGS and NGC in the grade of MS67, and many more among each of the lower Mint States grades.

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:

3143

Coin Date:

1936-S

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

14,930,000

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, 1936

Obverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS

Reverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers

Greysheet News

View All News
Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
3/11/2026

Brunk Auctions concluded three days of sales with outstanding results for Premier British & Continental on February 24, Americana featuring the Estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on February 25, and Premier American & Southern on February 26.

1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle and 1825 BD-2 Quarter Eagle Grab Center Stage at Heritage's U.S. Coins Auction
1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle and 1825 BD-2 Quarter Eagle Grab Center Stage at Heritage's U.S. Coins Auction
3/9/2026

Ingots from S.S. Central America and noted featured collections also among March 26-28 event highlights.

CAC Coins Bring Premiums in February 2026
CAC Coins Bring Premiums in February 2026
3/9/2026

CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of February 2026.

Map icon

Mustang Town Center

Map icon

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center