1914-S Buffalo Nickel Value: Price Guide for Collectors

The 1914-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $20 in worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. As one of the early semi-key dates in the series, this San Francisco-minted coin is a prized find for anyone sorting through an old collection or a lucky garage sale discovery.

Grade Condition	Estimated Value (USD)
Good (G-4)	$20 – $25
Fine (F-12)	$45 – $60
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$140 – $185
Uncirculated (MS-60)	$450 – $600
Gem Mint (MS-65)	$1,650+

Why the 1914-S Buffalo Nickel is a Valuable Find

If you have just discovered a handful of old “Indian Head” nickels, you might be sitting on a modest treasure. The 1914-S version is particularly special because it was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the second year of the Buffalo Nickel’s production. While the Philadelphia Mint produced millions of these coins, San Francisco’s output was significantly lower, leading to what collectors call a “semi-key date.”

To determine if yours is authentic and valuable, many modern collectors use a top coin identifier and value app to get an instant estimate. These tools use image recognition to spot the subtle differences between a common nickel and a rare one. For the 1914-S, the scarcity increases exponentially as the condition improves.

In 1914, San Francisco minted only 3.9 million nickels. Compare that to the nearly 21 million minted in Philadelphia, and you can see why collectors are willing to pay a premium. Even in low grades where the date is barely visible, these coins command much more than their five-cent face value. For a deeper look at market trends, many hobbyists check CoinKnow to stay updated on auction records.

How to Identify the Mint Mark and Authenticate Your Coin

The most critical factor in the value of this coin is the “S” mint mark. Without it, you simply have a common 1914 Philadelphia nickel. To find it, look at the reverse (tails) side of the coin, specifically beneath the words “FIVE CENTS” and the ground the buffalo is standing on. If you see a small “S” there, you have found the San Francisco variety.

Because these coins were made of a relatively soft metal composition (75% copper and 25% nickel), they wore down quickly in circulation. On very worn coins, the mint mark can be difficult to see without a magnifying glass. If the mint mark is missing, it was likely struck in Philadelphia. If there is a “D,” it was struck in Denver.

When using CoinKnow, you can take a clear photo of the reverse to ensure you aren’t misidentifying a smudge as a mint mark. Identifying the mark correctly is the first step in realizing the 1914-S nickel value and historical significance within your collection. Authentic coins will have a specific weight of 5 grams and a diameter of 21.2mm.

Mint Location	Mintage Figure	Rarity Level
Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)	20,664,463	Common
Denver (D)	3,912,000	Scarce
San Francisco (S)	3,921,000	Scarce / Semi-Key

Grading the 1914-S Buffalo Nickel: From Good to Mint State

Grade is everything in the world of numismatics. A coin that looks “dirty” or “shiny” to a beginner might have vastly different values to a professional. The 1914-S is notorious for having a weak strike, which means even some uncirculated coins might lack detail in the buffalo’s fur or the Native American’s hair braid.

A “Good” grade means the coin is very worn, but the date and mint mark are still readable. Moving up to “Fine,” you should see some detail in the hair near the Indian’s temple. By “Extremely Fine,” the buffalo’s tail and the horn should be nearly complete. For those looking for top-tier specimens, the 1914-S Buffalo Nickel MS60 to MS67 price data reveals that high-grade survivors are incredibly rare.

If you aren’t sure where your coin falls on the scale, CoinKnow offers a visual grading guide that allows you to compare your coin to professionally graded examples. Remember: never clean your coin! Rubbing it with cloth or using chemicals will strip away the “luster” and can cut the value of a 1914-S nickel by more than half.

Historical Context: The James Earle Fraser Design

The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. It was part of a Renaissance in American coinage started by President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted US money to look like art. Fraser used three different Native American chiefs as models for the portrait on the obverse: Iron Tail, Two Moons, and Big Tree.

The reverse features an American Bison, widely believed to be “Black Diamond,” a famous buffalo from the Central Park Zoo in New York. The 1914-S was minted during a transition period for the United States, right as World War I was beginning in Europe. This makes the coin a piece of history you can hold in your hand.

Because the buffalo stands on a “Type 2” flat ground (the 1913 “Type 1” had a raised mound), the words “FIVE CENTS” were better protected from wear, but the date remained in a high-relief area. This is why it is so difficult to find 1914-S nickels with a clear, bold date today. If your coin has a sharp date, its value is significantly higher.

Condition	Visual Indicators	Market Price
Very Good (VG-8)	Half of horn visible; clear date.	$30 – $40
Very Fine (VF-20)	Braid detail clear; horn 75% visible.	$75 – $95
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Traces of original mint luster.	$250 – $350

Potential Error Varieties in 1914 Buffalo Nickels

While the standard 1914-S is valuable on its own, collectors also hunt for errors that happened during the minting process. While most famous errors (like the 3-Legged Buffalo) occurred in later years, 1914 has its own quirks. Some coins exhibit “doubled dies,” where the lettering or the date appears to have a slight ghostly shadow behind it.

Another common occurrence is the “Clipped Planchet,” where the coin looks like a bite was taken out of the edge. These errors can happen at any mint, including San Francisco. If you find a 1914-S with a strange physical deformity, don’t throw it away! Error collectors often pay double or triple the standard market value for these unique pieces.

To check for errors, use a high-resolution camera or a digital microscope. CoinKnow has a community section where you can post photos of your potential error coins and get feedback from experienced numismatists. Even a minor error on a semi-key date like the 1914-S can turn a $20 coin into a $200 coin overnight.

Tips for Selling Your 1914-S Buffalo Nickel

Once you’ve identified your coin and estimated its grade, you might be wondering how to turn it into cash. For a coin of this value, you have several options. If the coin is in Mint State (appearing brand new), it is highly recommended to have it certified by a professional service like PCGS or NGC. This “slabbing” process guarantees the grade and authenticity to any potential buyer.

For lower-grade coins worth $50 or less, selling to a local coin shop is the fastest method, though they will usually offer you about 60-70% of the retail price so they can make a profit. Alternatively, online marketplaces like eBay can fetch higher prices, but you must be prepared to handle shipping and fees.

Always keep your 1914-S nickel in a PVC-free “flip” or holder. Protecting the surface from oils on your fingers and moisture in the air is the best way to ensure its value doesn’t drop while you are looking for a buyer. A little care goes a long way in preserving the legacy of this 100-plus-year-old American relic.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1914 Buffalo Nickel is an “S” or a “D”?

A: Flip the coin to the back (the side with the buffalo). Look at the bottom, just below the phrase “FIVE CENTS.” You will see either a small “S” for San Francisco, a “D” for Denver, or nothing at all if it was minted in Philadelphia.

Q: Is a 1914-S Buffalo Nickel rare?

A: It is considered a “semi-key” date. While not as rare as the 1913-S Variety 2 or the 1921-S, it is much harder to find than most other years and consistently sells for a premium, even in poor condition.

Q: Should I clean my old nickel to make it look better?

A: No! Never clean your coins. Cleaning creates microscopic scratches on the surface and removes the “skin” or patina of the metal. Collectors prefer a dirty, authentic coin over a shiny, cleaned one, and cleaning can reduce the value by 50% or more.

Q: What is the most a 1914-S Buffalo Nickel has ever sold for?

A: While average circulated coins sell for under $100, high-grade examples in MS-67 condition have sold for over $30,000 at major auctions. The value is strictly tied to how much detail remains on the coin.