1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel MS Values

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1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel MS Values

Details

The 1938-D/S repunched mintmark is particularly unusual as no Buffalo nickels were struck at the San Francisco Mint that year, perhaps suggesting a deliberate action by at least one mint employee. Still, this is a neat variety, if one that is not all that rare. It came to light in the early 1960s and many were saved even in the Gem 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:

3149

Coin Date:

1938-D/S

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Denver

Mintage:

7,020,000

Coinage Type:

Buffalo nickel

Coinage Years:

1913-1938

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Mint Mark:

D

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Buffalo

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, 1938

Obverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS

Reverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

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