1936-S Nickel MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop US Coins and Jewelry

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

1936-S Nickel MS Values

Details

The 1936-S Buffalo nickel is a grossly common issue, though the scarcest of the regular strikes for the short period of 1936 through 1938. By the mid 1930s, collectors were looking for and saving 1936-S Buffalo nickels and other dates, too, for inclusion in the coin albums and coin boards of the era, which were just coming into vogue among numismatists. Certainly many rolls were saved as this issue is common even in uncirculated condition. Dozens have been slabbed by PCGS and NGC in the grade of MS67, and many more among each of the lower Mint States grades.

Obverse: 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: 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.

Basic Information

GSID:

3143

Coin Date:

1936-S

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

14,930,000

Coinage Type:

Buffalo nickel

Coinage Years:

1913-1938

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Mint Mark:

S

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

5 gr

Weight:

0.1608 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.2 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, 1936

Obverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS

Reverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Coinfully
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar Leads Heritage FUN Numismatic Auctions Above $63.38 Million
1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar Leads Heritage FUN Numismatic Auctions Above $63.38 Million
1/21/2026

1879 Coiled Hair Stella, 1829 Capped Head Left Half Eagle and 1934 $10,000 federal reserve note also among event highlights.

A Nation Minted: New Release When Coins Were King by Mike Moran Reveals How Gold, Silver, and Politics Defined America's Identity
A Nation Minted: New Release When Coins Were King by Mike Moran Reveals How Gold, Silver, and Politics Defined America's Identity
1/16/2026

In When Coins Were King, Moran reveals the fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of how America's coinage emerged from the turbulence of the post–Civil War economy and the discovery of the great Comstock Lode.

CAC Coins Bring Premiums in December 2025
CAC Coins Bring Premiums in December 2025
1/16/2026

CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of December 2025.

Map icon

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center

Map icon

Coinacopia Building