1935 Buffalo Nickel Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
A 1935 Buffalo Nickel in ordinary circulation condition carries a USA Coin Book guide estimate from about $1.24 in G4 up to $123 in MS63, depending on the mint. That is not the ceiling.
The separately priced Doubled Die Reverse variety from Philadelphia can reach dramatically higher figures in uncirculated grades. No regular proof was struck for the 1935 date.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1935 Buffalo Nickel
Snap clear photos of both sides of your coin, making sure the date is readable and the area below FIVE CENTS on the reverse is in focus. Upload the front and back images for a preliminary identification that can help you figure out which mint and version you have before diving deeper into value.
1935 Buffalo Nickel Value
Upload both sides of your 1935 Buffalo Nickel.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1935 Buffalo Nickel Versions Are Worth Money?
- The Philadelphia Doubled Die Reverse is the standout variety, with guide estimates around $69 in G4 and $7,335 in MS63 — far above any normal-strike 1935 nickel.
- Denver mint coins carry the highest normal-strike guide value in MS63 at about $123, roughly double the Philadelphia issue in the same grade.
- San Francisco coins in MS63 are estimated around $92, making uncirculated S-mint pieces worth checking carefully for original surfaces.
- Mint errors such as off-center strikes, broadstrikes, and repunched mintmarks have been reported for 1935 and can add value depending on severity and condition.
Step 1: Identify Your 1935 Buffalo Nickel Mint Mark and Version
Three mints produced the 1935 Buffalo Nickel: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The mintmark sits on the reverse, just below the words FIVE CENTS.
If you see nothing there, it is a Philadelphia coin.
All 1935 nickels are the Type 2 reverse design with FIVE CENTS recessed below the flat ground line. There is no Type 1 (raised mound) branch for this year; that design ended in 1913.
The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing about 5 grams, 21.2 mm across, with a plain edge. There is no silver version, despite the occasional optimistic eBay listing.
One major variety to watch for is the Doubled Die Reverse, a Philadelphia issue showing strong doubling on FIVE CENTS and other reverse elements. It is listed and priced separately from the normal Philadelphia strike.
Step 2: Check Your 1935 Buffalo Nickel Grade
Start with the obverse. In higher grades, the full braid detail and the hair above the ribbon are sharp, and the cheek shows no flatness.
As wear increases, the braid merges, the cheek smooths, and fine hair lines disappear. On the reverse, check the bison's shoulder hump and horn first; these are the highest points and wear earliest.
Here is the catch: weak strikes are common on Buffalo Nickels across all three mints. A soft horn or incomplete shoulder does not automatically mean heavy wear.
Compare your coin's luster and high-point detail against the comparison image to separate strike softness from actual circulation loss.
Original luster matters a lot once you are above Fine. Look for cartwheel reflection under a single light source.
Scratches, cleaning, and environmental damage all reduce value.
Never use acid or any chemical to restore a worn or dateless Buffalo Nickel before evaluating it. Altered surfaces destroy collector value.
Step 3: Check 1935 Buffalo Nickel Value by Mint and Version
1935 Buffalo Nickel — No Mint Mark — Type2 Circulation
The 1935 Philadelphia nickel has no mintmark. Look at the reverse below FIVE CENTS — if the space is clean, you have this coin.
USA Coin Book guide estimates run from about $1.24 in G4 to $56 in MS63.
Most surviving Philadelphia pieces are well-circulated, so finding one with sharp braid detail and full bison horn in hand is less common than you might expect. Full original luster pushes value up quickly.
A separate, much scarcer Doubled Die Reverse variety also exists from this mint and is priced on its own.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
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Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
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Coin Identifier G G 4
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G 6
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Coin Identifier VG VG 8
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VG 10
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Coin Identifier F F 12
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F 15
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Coin Identifier VF VF 20
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VF 25
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VF 30
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VF 35
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Coin Identifier XF XF 40
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XF 45
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Coin Identifier AU AU 50
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AU 53
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AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
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MS 61
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MS 62
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MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
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MS 65
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MS 66
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MS 67
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MS 68
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MS 69
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MS 70
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1935 Buffalo Nickel — D — Type2 Circulation
Look for the small D below FIVE CENTS on the reverse. The Denver mint struck a healthy run of 1935 nickels, but nice uncirculated examples command a premium.
USA Coin Book places this branch at roughly $1.56 in G4 and $123 in MS63 — the highest normal-strike guide figure among the three mints for 1935.
That MS63 premium reflects how scarce problem-free, fully lustrous Denver coins actually are compared to the total mintage. Strike quality varies, so check the horn and shoulder carefully against a known sharp example before assuming wear.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
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Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
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Coin Identifier G G 4
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G 6
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Coin Identifier VG VG 8
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VG 10
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Coin Identifier F F 12
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F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
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VF 25
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VF 30
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VF 35
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Coin Identifier XF XF 40
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Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
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AU 53
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Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
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MS 61
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MS 62
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MS 63
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MS 64
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MS 65
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MS 66
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MS 67
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MS 68
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MS 69
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MS 70
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1935 Buffalo Nickel — S — Type2 Circulation
The S mintmark below FIVE CENTS identifies the San Francisco issue. Guide estimates from USA Coin Book put this version at about $1.56 in G4 and $92 in MS63.
San Francisco strikes can be inconsistent, so a weak horn does not always signal heavy circulation. Compare overall surface quality and luster before settling on a grade.
In lower circulated grades, the S-mint trades roughly the same as Denver, but the gap widens as you move into mint state. Original, undipped surfaces are what collectors want here.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
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Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
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Coin Identifier G G 4
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Coin Identifier
G 6
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Coin Identifier VG VG 8
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Coin Identifier
VG 10
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Coin Identifier F F 12
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F 15
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Coin Identifier VF VF 20
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VF 25
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VF 30
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VF 35
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Coin Identifier XF XF 40
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XF 45
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Coin Identifier AU AU 50
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Coin Identifier
AU 53
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Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
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MS 61
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MS 62
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MS 63
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MS 64
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MS 65
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MS 66
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MS 67
Coin Identifier
MS 68
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MS 69
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MS 70
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1935 Buffalo Nickel — Doubled Die Reverse
This is the one that makes people grab a loupe. The 1935 Philadelphia Doubled Die Reverse shows strong, visible doubling on FIVE CENTS and other reverse design elements.
You need clear magnification and a normal Philadelphia reverse for comparison to confirm it; subtle machine doubling is not the same thing.
USA Coin Book guide estimates place the Doubled Die Reverse at about $69 in G4 and a striking $7,335 in MS63. Those numbers reflect genuine scarcity and collector demand for attributed examples.
If you think you have one, professional attribution from a grading service is the practical next step.
Coin Value Lookup is a good starting point if you want to compare this variety against other Buffalo Nickel dates and mints before deciding on next steps.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
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Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
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Coin Identifier G G 4
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Coin Identifier
G 6
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
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Coin Identifier
MS 61
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MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
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MS 67
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MS 68
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MS 69
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MS 70
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1935 Buffalo Nickel Error List
1. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Broadstrike
A broadstrike happens when the collar die that normally constrains the blank is absent or displaced during striking. The design spreads outward, and the coin appears wider than normal with a distorted or missing rim.
On a 1935 Buffalo Nickel, you would see the full design present but noticeably expanded past the usual 21.2 mm diameter.
Do not confuse this with a coin that was simply flattened after leaving the mint, such as a railroad or vise job. A genuine broadstrike retains correct design detail and metal flow consistent with being struck, not squeezed.
The edge profile differs from a normal coin but should not show tool marks.
Value depends on the degree of spread, overall condition, and visual impact. No fixed price range applies; each piece needs individual assessment.
2. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Clipped Planchet
A clipped planchet means the blank was incompletely punched from the metal strip before striking. The result is a missing section — curved, straight, or ragged — along the edge.
On a 1935 nickel, look for a corresponding area of design weakness opposite the clip, caused by incomplete metal flow during the strike.
The key distinction from post-mint damage is the edge texture. A genuine clip has a smooth, consistent edge at the missing area, not file marks, cuts, or corrosion pitting.
The Blakesley effect — weakness directly across from the clip — is a useful confirming clue.
Value varies with clip size, location, and coin condition. Larger clips that still retain a readable date tend to attract the most collector interest.
No specific price range is established here; individual evaluation is necessary.
3. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Improper Annealing
Improper annealing refers to a problem during the heating process that prepares coin blanks for striking. On a 1935 Buffalo Nickel, this can show up as unusual surface discoloration, a streaky or rough texture, or uneven toning that does not match normal environmental exposure.
This one is tricky to confirm visually. Surface discoloration is a screening clue, not definitive proof by itself.
Environmental toning, corrosion, or post-mint heat exposure can mimic the look. Compare your coin's surface and edge against a normal example at similar magnification.
Because these are difficult to attribute with certainty, value depends heavily on the specific appearance, supporting evidence, and overall coin condition. No set price range applies across the board.
4. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike means the blank was not seated properly between the dies, so part of the design is missing and you get a blank crescent on one side. On a 1935 Buffalo Nickel, a moderate off-center with the date still visible is the sweet spot for collector interest — no date, much less demand.
Do not mistake a clipped planchet or one-sided die misalignment for a true off-center. A genuine off-center coin has a full-thickness blank with a crescent of unstruck metal; a clip removes metal entirely.
Post-mint flattening can also fool you, but it will not produce the telltale unstruck crescent with correct blank thickness.
Value rises with the percentage off-center, date visibility, and overall condition. Each example is assessed individually.
5. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Struck-Through Error
A struck-through error occurs when foreign material — grease, a fragment of metal, cloth, or debris — gets between the die and the blank during striking. The result is a localized depression, impression, or area of missing design on the finished coin.
On a 1935 Buffalo Nickel, look for a smooth, recessed area that does not match normal wear or a scratch. Grease-filled dies tend to produce soft, broad areas of missing detail, while a retained object can leave a sharper impression.
These are distinct categories even though both fall under the struck-through umbrella.
The lookalikes are ordinary wear, cleaning scratches, or weak strike detail — all common on Buffalo Nickels. A struck-through area is usually sharply bounded and does not follow high-point wear patterns.
Value depends on size, clarity, and condition.
6. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Repunched Mintmark
A repunched mintmark shows remnants of a second, slightly offset mintmark impression beneath or beside the primary D or S. This affects only Denver and San Francisco coins, since Philadelphia had no mintmark to repunch.
On a 1935-D or 1935-S, inspect the mintmark area below FIVE CENTS under magnification.
You are looking for a shadow, notch, or partial letter next to the main mintmark. Machine doubling can create a flat shelf near the letter, but a true repunched mintmark shows a distinctly rounded or seriffed secondary impression.
Die chips and corrosion around the mark can also fool you.
Value depends on the clarity of the repunching, the overall coin grade, and collector demand for the specific variety. No single price range covers all examples.
7. 1935 Buffalo Nickel — Doubled Die Reverse
Doubled die reverse errors on the 1935 Buffalo Nickel have been reported for San Francisco strikes, in addition to the major Philadelphia variety that is priced separately as its own version. The doubling appears on reverse legends and design contours — compare your coin to a normal reverse at the same magnification to spot it.
Machine doubling is the most common lookalike. It produces flat, shelf-like distortion without the rounded, separated character of a genuine doubled die.
Random damage and light reflections at certain angles can also mimic doubling to the untrained eye.
Condition, the strength of the doubling, and the specific die involved all affect value. No single price range covers every doubled die reverse specimen.
Professional attribution is recommended if you believe you have a match.
