The 1913-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $40 in heavily worn condition to over $25,000 for rare high-grade specimens. This San Francisco minted coin is a true American classic, featuring iconic indigenous imagery that captures the spirit of the early 20th-century Western frontier.

| Condition | 1913-S Type 1 Value | 1913-S Type 2 Value |
|———–|———————-|———————-|
| Good (G-4) | $40 – $45 | $325 – $350 |
| Fine (F-12) | $55 – $65 | $450 – $475 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-45) | $85 – $100 | $650 – $700 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $150 – $175 | $1,500 – $1,800 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)| $350+ | $4,500+ |

Understanding the Two Distinct Varieties of the 1913-S Buffalo Nickel

If you have found a 1913-S Buffalo Nickel, the first thing you must do is identify which “Type” you have. In 1913, the first year of the series, the Mint released two different designs. The “Type 1” features the buffalo standing on a raised mound of dirt. Because this raised design caused the “FIVE CENTS” inscription to wear away too quickly in circulation, the Mint quickly changed the design. If you are unsure which variety you have, you can use a top coin identifier app to get instant clarification.

The “Type 2” variety shows the buffalo standing on a flat line or recessed ground. This change protected the denomination from wear. For collectors, the Type 2 minted in San Francisco is the “Holy Grail” of 1913 nickels. While the Type 1 is relatively common, the 1913-S Type 2 had a much lower survival rate in high grades. By using the CoinKnow app, you can snap a photo of your coin to see which variety is in your collection and get an estimate of its current market worth.

Design Element	Type 1 (Raised Ground)	Type 2 (Flat Ground)
Reverse Base	Rounded mound under buffalo	Straight, flat line under buffalo
Denomination Protection	High—wears away easily	Recessed—protected from wear
Rarity Level	Common to Scarce	Very Rare in high grades

How the San Francisco Mint Mark Affects Value

The “S” mint mark is located on the reverse of the coin, just below the words “FIVE CENTS.” In 1913, the San Francisco Mint produced significantly fewer nickels than Philadelphia or Denver. This scarcity is why a 1913-S Nickel is almost always worth more than a 1913-P or 1913-D. For everyday people finding these coins in old jars or estates, checking for that small “S” is the difference between a $5 coin and a $500 coin.

When looking at the 1913-S Buffalo Nickel price data, you will notice a massive jump in value for coins that still have their original luster. Because these coins were used extensively in commerce, finding one that hasn’t been scratched or smoothed over by decades of handling is rare. The CoinKnow app can help you identify if the mint mark is genuine or if it has been altered, which is a common issue with high-value coins.

Determining the Grade and Condition of Your Nickel

Value is heavily dependent on the “grade” or condition of the coin. Numismatists use a scale from 1 to 70. For most people, the categories are simplified: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Mint State. A 1913-S Buffalo Nickel in “Good” condition will show the date clearly, but the buffalo’s horn and the detail in the Native American’s hair will be mostly flat.

If you see fine details like the lines in the braid or the split in the buffalo’s tail, you are looking at a much more valuable piece. You can find detailed 1913-S Buffalo Nickel value information that breaks down how much a professional grading service might value your specific coin. Remember, even a small scratch or a “cleaning” can drop the price by 50% or more, so never scrub your old coins!

Grade Label	Visual Description	Est. Value (Type 2)
G-4 Good	Date is readable but heavy wear overall	$325
VF-20 Very Fine	Full horn visible on the buffalo	$550
MS-60 Uncirculated	No wear, but some surface marks	$1,200

Why the 1913-S Type 2 is a Collector Favorite

The 1913-S Type 2 is often considered one of the keys to the Buffalo Nickel series. Only about 1.2 million were minted, which sounds like a lot, but in the world of coin collecting, it is a very low number. Many people didn’t realize the design had changed and simply spent them. By the time collectors realized the Type 2 would be a rarity, most of the coins were already worn down.

If you have a specimen that looks “shiny” or “new,” you may be sitting on a fortune. Auction houses have seen 1913-S Type 2 nickels in near-perfect condition sell for $30,000 to $40,000. Using the CoinKnow tool to track recent auction results is a great way to stay updated on what collectors are currently paying for these historic pieces.

Mint Location	Type 2 Mintage	Rarity Ranking
Philadelphia (None)	29,858,416	Common
Denver (D)	4,156,000	Scarce
San Francisco (S)	1,209,000	Rare

Tips for Selling Your 1913-S Buffalo Nickel

When you’re ready to sell, don’t walk into the first pawn shop you see. Pawn shops generally offer a fraction of the coin’s actual worth. Instead, look for reputable coin dealers or specialized auction houses. Because the 1913-S is such a valuable coin, it is highly recommended to have it “certified” by a service like PCGS or NGC.

Certification provides a guarantee of authenticity and an official grade, which makes it much easier to sell for a fair price. Before paying for grading services, however, it is smart to use a digital identifier to ensure the coin isn’t a counterfeit. There are many “fake” 1913-S nickels that were made by adding an “S” to a common Philadelphia coin. A high-quality photo and a valuation app are your first line of defense.

FAQ

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1913 Buffalo Nickel?

A: You can find the mint mark on the reverse (tails) side of the coin. Look at the bottom, directly underneath the words “FIVE CENTS.” If you see an “S,” it was made in San Francisco. If you see a “D,” it was made in Denver. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia.

Q: Why is the Type 2 worth so much more than the Type 1?

A: The Type 2 has a much lower mintage (only about 1.2 million for the S-mint) compared to the Type 1. Additionally, because the Type 2 design arrived later in the year, fewer people saved them as “first-year” souvenirs, leading to a much lower survival rate in high-grade condition.

Q: Can I clean my 1913-S Buffalo Nickel to make it worth more?

A: No! Never clean a rare coin. Cleaning creates microscopic scratches that collectors can easily spot, and it can reduce the value of a coin by 50% to 90%. Collectors prefer a coin with “original skin,” even if it looks old or toned.

Q: What is the most expensive 1913-S Buffalo Nickel ever sold?

A: High-grade examples of the 1913-S Type 2 in MS-67 condition have sold at auction for over $40,000. However, even average uncirculated coins regularly sell for several thousand dollars due to their rarity.