1930 Buffalo Nickel
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$15,600 MS67+ 04-26-2020 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1930 Buffalo Nickel is a nickel minted at the Philadelphia Mint, within the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series. The U.S. Mint produced 22.8 million examples, making this the higher-mintage of the two mint variants, representing 81% of production. The obverse features a composite Native American portrait combining features of three real tribal chiefs — Iron Tail (Lakota), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca) and the reverse displays an American bison (often called Black Diamond after the famous bison at the Bronx Zoo) standing on a mound. Struck during the Great Depression, when mintages dropped sharply and the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1933. The Philadelphia Mint, America's oldest coin-making facility, has struck coins continuously since 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $2 to $92 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3969.
External References
Error Varieties(30)
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005
1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-006
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008
1930 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-006
1930 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-007
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006
1930 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007
1930 VDDR VDDR-008
Other Strike Types in This Series
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