Buffalo Nickel Grading Guide
How to grade your 1913–1938 Buffalo nickel — the date, the horn, and the wear points that decide the grade.
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Buffalo Nickel grading, in brief
Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) are graded on the Sheldon 1–70 scale. Because the design wears predictably, the grade hinges on the buffalo's horn and date readability: a worn date drops the grade sharply, while a sharp Full Horn signals a higher grade. Most circulated examples grade G–VF; sharp originals reach Mint State.
The horn and the date are everything
On a Buffalo nickel, look first at the buffalo's horn on the reverse and the date on the obverse. A dateless nickel (worn flat) has little collector value regardless of the rest of the coin. A sharp, complete horn with a bold date points to a higher grade — this single check tells you more than any other.
What graders look at
Date
The most critical feature — partial or worn-flat dates cap value sharply. Many circulated Buffalos are 'dateless.'
Horn
A complete 'Full Horn' with sharp tip is the premium grading cue; partial horn signals more wear.
Cheekbone & braid
The Native American's cheekbone and hair braid show high-point wear first on the obverse.
LIBERTY
Sharpness of the LIBERTY lettering helps separate higher circulated grades.
Buffalo Nickel grading chart
Grade-by-grade, what to look for on your coin.
| Grade | Label | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good | Date readable but worn; horn mostly flat; outline only |
| VG-8 | Very Good | Full date; partial horn begins to show |
| F-12 | Fine | Horn partially visible; some braid detail |
| VF-20 | Very Fine | Most of horn visible; moderate detail in hair |
| XF-40 | Extremely Fine | Full horn with light wear; sharp date |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated | Full horn, trace wear on highest points |
| MS-63+ | Mint State | No wear; full luster; sharp Full Horn |
Key dates worth grading
Buffalo Nickel grading FAQ
How can I tell my Buffalo nickel's grade?
Start with the date and the buffalo's horn. A worn-flat date means a low grade; a sharp, complete Full Horn with bold detail signals a higher grade. Then check the cheekbone, braid, and LIBERTY sharpness against a grade chart.
What is a Full Horn Buffalo nickel?
A Full Horn means the raised horn on the buffalo's head is complete and sharp, not worn flat. It's the key indicator separating higher grades from lower circulated ones.
Are dateless Buffalo nickels worth anything?
Generally only a few cents over face/bullion as 'fillers.' Without a readable date, grading is not worthwhile except for rare error pieces.
Which Buffalo nickels are valuable?
Key dates like the 1913-S Type 2, 1921-S, 1926-S, and the 1937-D 3-Legged error carry strong premiums — especially in higher grades.
Is it worth grading a Buffalo nickel?
Only if it's a key date, a sharp high-grade example, or an error. Common dates in circulated condition rarely justify the grading fee. Pre-grade first to decide.
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