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The 1931-S Buffalo nickel has the second-lowest mintage of the series, at just 1,200,000. However, by the early 1930s many collectors were saving new coins being released by the US Mint, and many were aware of the low mintage of the 1931-S and held onto roll quantities of these coins — as had been done with the similarly scarce 1931-S Lincoln cent. It is thought that perhaps there are as many, if not more, uncirculated 1931-S Buffalo nickels in existence than there are circulated examples.
While not the most common of the Gem-grade Buffalo nickels, the 1931-S is by no means all that scarce in the better grades, with 3,000 or so specimens estimated to remain in MS65 or higher. There are hundreds certified by PCGS and NGC in the Superb Gem level of MS66 though fewer than two dozen in MS67, a grade point that is particularly attractive to Buffalo nickel enthusiasts who are building registry sets.
Obverse Description
James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.
Reverse Description
A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface.
Catalog Information
GSID:
329303
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1931
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Doubled Die Reverse
Variety 2:
FS-802
Coin Date:
1931-S
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
1,200,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
569454
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Coin Value History
1931-S 5c Doubled Die Reverse, FS-802 MS
Value By Grade
1931-S 5c Doubled Die Reverse, FS-802 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$25,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $21,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1931-S Buffalo Nickel. FS-802. Tripled Die Reverse. EF-45 (NGC).
$85
1931-S 5C Doubled Die Reverse, FS-802, MS65 PCGS. PCGS Population: (6/0). NGC Census: (0/0). MS65. Mintage 1,200,000. ...
$360
1931-S Buffalo Nickel. FS-802. Tripled Die Reverse. EF-45 (NGC).
$85
1931-S 5C Doubled Die Reverse, FS-802, MS65 PCGS. PCGS Population: (3/0). NGC Census: (0/0). Mintage 1,200,000. ...
$540
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
Worth: $4 – $16,000
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $4 – $16,000
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $8 – $40,200
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $16 – $19,200
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]
Worth: $0 – $4,800
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $5 – $3,600
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $50 – $36,000
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $115 – $30,000
1914 5c MS
Worth: $6 – $4,020
1914/(3) 5c MS
Worth: $150 – $50,000
1914-D 5c MS
Worth: $35 – $21,600
1914-S 5c MS
Worth: $14 – $75,000
1915 5c MS
Worth: $3 – $9,600
1915-D 5c MS
Worth: $8 – $18,000
1915-S 5c MS
Worth: $24 – $50,000
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Events
Midlands Coin Club Coin, Currency and Collectibles Show - SC
Location: Medallion Center
Friday, May 1, 2026
