1936 Buffalo Nickel Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
A 1936 Buffalo Nickel in ordinary circulated condition carries guide values from about $1.56 in G4 to $61 in MS63, depending on the mint. That is not the ceiling.
The 1936-D Three-and-a-Half Legs variety commands dramatically higher prices, and proof finishes from Philadelphia add another tier entirely. Your specific coin's mint, condition, and any die varieties determine where it falls.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1936 Buffalo Nickel
The quickest way to start figuring out what you have is to upload clear photos of both the front and back of your coin. Good lighting and a steady hand help.
Our identifier can give you a preliminary read on the mint, design type, and general condition, which points you toward the right value range. It is not a substitute for professional authentication or exact grading.
1936 Buffalo Nickel Value
Upload both sides of your 1936 Buffalo Nickel.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1936 Buffalo Nickel Versions Are Worth Money?
- The 1936-D Three-and-a-Half Legs variety, with a partially missing bison front leg from die abrasion, carries guide values from $527 in G4 to $22,519 in MS63 — far above any standard 1936 issue.
- Philadelphia proof finishes exist in two distinct types: satin and brilliant, each with reported PR63 transaction prices near or above $1,000.
- Mint-state examples from any mint with strong original luster and sharp strikes can outperform typical circulated coins by a wide margin.
- Several error categories — doubled dies, off-center strikes, repunched mintmarks, and others — have been reported for 1936 Buffalo Nickels and may carry premiums depending on visibility and condition.
Step 1: Identify Your 1936 Buffalo Nickel Mint Mark and Version
All 1936 Buffalo Nickels use the Type 2 reverse, where FIVE CENTS sits in a recessed area below the bison. There is no Type 1 version for this year.
Three mints produced these coins. Philadelphia strikes carry no mintmark.
Denver coins show a small D, and San Francisco coins show an S, both found on the reverse below FIVE CENTS.
The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, with a 21.2 mm diameter and a plain edge. There is no silver version of this coin.
The major variety to watch for is the 1936-D Three-and-a-Half Legs, where die abrasion partially removed the bison's front leg. Do not confuse normal wear or a weak strike with this specific variety.
A missing feather or soft detail alone does not indicate an error or recognized variety.
Step 2: Check Your 1936 Buffalo Nickel Grade
Start by examining the Native American portrait. In lower grades, the hair braid and cheekbone lose definition first, then the feathers flatten.
On the reverse, the bison's shoulder and horn are your primary checkpoints. A sharp horn alone does not guarantee a high grade, because some 1936 nickels left the mint with soft strikes in that area.
Separating strike weakness from actual circulation wear is one of the trickiest parts of grading Buffalo Nickels. Compare your coin side-by-side with the grading comparison image to see how luster, high-point detail, and surface marks differ at each level.
Original luster matters a lot for mint-state grades. Look for cartwheel shine under angled light.
And never use acid or abrasives to "restore" a worn date — that destroys both the coin's surface and its collector value.
Step 3: Check 1936 Buffalo Nickel Value by Mint and Version
1936 Buffalo Nickel — No Mint Mark — Type2 Circulation
The 1936 Philadelphia Buffalo Nickel has no mintmark. Look at the reverse below FIVE CENTS — if the space is clean, you have a Philly coin.
USA Coin Book guide estimates place this version at roughly $1.56 in G4 and $61 in MS63. Most survivors are well-circulated, so finding one with full original luster takes some hunting.
Check for a sharp braid, clear feathers, and an intact bison horn when assessing condition.
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
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
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AU 53
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AU 55
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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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1936 Buffalo Nickel — D — Type2 Circulation
The Denver issue carries a small D mintmark on the reverse beneath FIVE CENTS. Guide estimates run from about $1.56 in G4 to $56 in MS63, per USA Coin Book.
Denver strikes can vary in sharpness, so do not assume a soft horn means heavy wear. This mint also produced the famous Three-and-a-Half Legs variety, so every 1936-D is worth a close look at the bison's front legs before you toss it in the album.
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
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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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1936 Buffalo Nickel — S — Type2 Circulation
San Francisco's 1936 nickel shows an S mintmark on the reverse below the denomination. Guide values sit at around $1.56 in G4 and $56 in MS63.
S-mint Buffalo Nickels from this era sometimes come softly struck, particularly around the bison's horn and the portrait's feathers. Compare with known examples at the same grade before assuming wear.
Full, original surfaces make a real difference in this date's pricing.
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
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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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1936 Buffalo Nickel — D Three-and-a-Half Legs
This is the headliner of 1936 Buffalo Nickels. The 1936-D Three-and-a-Half Legs variety shows a partially missing front leg on the bison, caused by excessive die polishing that abraded part of the design away.
The leg is not completely gone — it tapers or fades rather than vanishing cleanly, which distinguishes it from the more famous 1937-D Three Legs variety.
Guide values from USA Coin Book are dramatic: approximately $527 in G4 and $22,519 in MS63. Counterfeits and coins with the leg filed down after minting do exist, so comparison against a professionally attributed example is essential.
Look for the characteristic smooth fade of the leg and consistent die markers rather than tool marks or uneven metal removal.
Coin Value Lookup is a good starting point if you want to compare this variety's profile against other Buffalo Nickel dates and mints.
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
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
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VG 10
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
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
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XF 45
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
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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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1936 Buffalo Nickel — No Mint Mark — Satin Proof
Philadelphia struck proof Buffalo Nickels in 1936 in two distinct finish styles. The satin proof has a softer, more muted surface compared to the brilliant version — think gentle sheen rather than mirror-like reflection.
A reported PR63 satin proof sold for $995 in a single marketplace transaction. That is one recorded sale, not a broad market average.
Distinguishing a genuine satin proof from a polished circulation strike requires careful examination of the rims, fields, and overall strike quality. Proof coins were struck with extra pressure on specially prepared planchets, producing sharper detail and more defined rims than any business strike.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PR PR 1
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PR 2
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PR 3
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PR 4
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PR 6
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PR 8
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PR 10
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PR 12
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PR 15
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PR 20
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PR 25
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PR 30
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PR 35
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PR 40
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PR 45
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PR 50
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PR 53
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PR 55
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PR 58
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PR 60
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PR 61
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PR 62
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PR 63
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PR 64
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PR 65
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PR 66
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PR 67
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PR 68
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PR 69
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PR 70
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1936 Buffalo Nickel — No Mint Mark — Brilliant Proof
The brilliant proof 1936 Buffalo Nickel shows reflective, mirror-like fields — a clear contrast to the satin finish. Both were intentional manufacturing choices at Philadelphia.
One reported PR63 brilliant proof sold for $1,230 in a marketplace transaction. Again, that is a single data point, not a guaranteed price.
Telling a brilliant proof from a well-preserved business strike that someone buffed up takes experience. Genuine proofs show squared-off rims and a quality of surface reflection that polishing cannot replicate.
If you think you have one, professional authentication is the smart move.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PR PR 1
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PR 2
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PR 3
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PR 4
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PR 6
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PR 8
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PR 10
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PR 12
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PR 15
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PR 20
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PR 25
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PR 30
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PR 35
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PR 40
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PR 45
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PR 50
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PR 53
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PR 55
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PR 58
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PR 60
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PR 61
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PR 62
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PR 63
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PR 64
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PR 65
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PR 66
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PR 67
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PR 68
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PR 69
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Coin Identifier
PR 70
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1936 Buffalo Nickel Error List
1. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Double / Multiple Strike
A double-struck or multiple-struck 1936 Buffalo Nickel shows two or more separate impressions of the design, displaced or rotated from each other. You are looking for a clearly shifted second image — not just slightly thicker lettering, but an obviously repositioned strike.
The key diagnostic is that the design elements appear twice in distinctly different positions. A flipover double strike, where the coin was flipped between hits, is grouped in this same category.
Do not confuse this with a doubled die, which shows consistent doubling across every coin from that die. Post-mint damage or vise marks can also mimic a second strike.
Condition, the degree of displacement, and visual drama all affect what a double strike is worth, but no specific price range is established here.
2. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Broadstrike
A broadstrike happens when the coin is struck without the retaining collar that normally constrains the planchet. The result is a coin that spreads outward, appearing slightly larger than normal with a weak or missing rim.
The design stays centered — that is what separates a broadstrike from an off-center error. Check the edge profile: it should look soft and expanded rather than sharply reeded or normal.
Coins that were flattened after leaving the mint by machinery, a hammer, or railroad tracks can look similar, but they lack the uniform metal flow and consistent design detail of a genuine broadstrike. Value depends on the coin's overall condition and how dramatic the spread is, though no specific price range is established for 1936 examples.
3. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike means the planchet was not properly aligned with the dies, producing a design that is shifted to one side with a blank crescent of unstruck metal on the opposite edge.
The most collectible off-center errors still show the full date — without a readable 1936, the coin loses much of its identification appeal and value. The percentage off-center matters too; a 5% shift is subtle while a 50% shift is dramatic.
Do not confuse an off-center strike with a clipped planchet, which removes a curved bite from the edge, or with one-sided misalignment where both sides are struck but slightly shifted relative to each other. Post-mint flattening also mimics the look.
Value varies with condition and the degree of offset.
4. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Repunched Mintmark
A repunched mintmark on a 1936-S Buffalo Nickel shows traces of a secondary S impression near the primary mintmark. This happened when the mintmark punch was applied to the working die more than once in slightly different positions.
Under magnification, look for remnants of a second S — often visible as a notch, shadow, or partial outline near the main letter. Compare against a normal 1936-S at the same magnification so you know what a clean, single-punch S looks like.
Machine doubling, die chips, and corrosion around the mintmark area can all create misleading shapes. A true repunched mintmark shows consistent, die-struck detail rather than flat shelf-like distortion.
Value depends on clarity and the coin's overall grade, with no specific price range established.
5. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Doubled Die Obverse
A doubled die obverse on a 1936 Buffalo Nickel displays consistent doubling on obverse design elements — potentially the date, lettering, or portrait features. The doubling comes from a misaligned hub impression during die production, so every coin struck from that die shows the same effect.
Look for separation or notching on letters and design elements rather than a flat, shelf-like distortion. True doubled dies have depth and consistency.
Machine doubling is the most common lookalike. It produces a flat, spread appearance without the raised, defined secondary image of a genuine doubled die.
Reflections and worn die contours can also fool the eye under certain lighting. Condition and the strength of visible doubling affect value, but no specific price is established for this category.
6. 1936 Buffalo Nickel — Doubled Die Reverse
A doubled die reverse on a 1936 Buffalo Nickel shows consistent doubling on reverse design elements such as FIVE CENTS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, or the bison's outline. Like its obverse counterpart, this originates during die manufacturing rather than during the striking process.
Compare the reverse lettering and contours of your coin against a normal example under the same lighting and magnification. Genuine doubling will appear as a clear secondary impression with depth.
Machine doubling produces a different look — flat and shelf-like rather than raised and well-defined. Random damage, corrosion, and light reflections can also create illusions of doubling.
The value of a doubled die reverse depends on the strength of the doubling and the coin's condition, with no specific price established here.
