The 1920 Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $1 in heavily worn condition to over $150 in high-grade mint state. While these coins were common in their era, finding one in your pocket change today is a rare treat that can lead to a nice payday for lucky collectors.
Understanding the History and Design of the 1920 Buffalo Nickel
The 1920 Buffalo Nickel, often called the Indian Head Nickel, represents a classic era of American coinage. Designed by James Earle Fraser, this coin features a powerful portrait of a Native American on the obverse and a majestic American Bison on the reverse. If you are looking to identify your find, you can use a top coin identifier app to quickly confirm the date and variety.
By the year 1920, the United States was experiencing a post-war economic shift, and coins like the nickel were the workhorses of everyday transactions. Because these coins saw heavy use, many specimens found today show significant wear, often with the date being the first thing to disappear. If you have recently discovered one of these vintage nickels, using an app like CoinHix can help you determine the exact level of detail remaining on the surfaces.
In 1920, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 63 million of these nickels. Because Philadelphia was the “main” mint, these coins do not carry a mint mark letter. If you look below the “FIVE CENTS” text on the back of the coin and find nothing, you have a Philadelphia-struck specimen. While they are more common than their counterparts from Denver (D) or San Francisco (S), they are still highly sought after by collectors building complete sets of this iconic series.
Calculating Your 1920 Buffalo Nickel Value Based on Condition
When determining the price of your coin, condition—or “grade”—is the most important factor. Collectors use a numerical scale from 1 to 70, but most everyday people can categorize their coins into Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, or Uncirculated. A coin in “Good” condition will be very flat with almost no detail left on the buffalo’s mane, while an “Uncirculated” coin will look just as it did when it left the mint in 1920.
For those curious about the market market trends, the 1920 Buffalo Nickel prices generally stay consistent until you reach the “Mint State” levels. Once a coin reaches MS60 or higher, the value jumps significantly because the preservation of original luster is quite rare for a coin that is over a century old. Most coins found in old jars or inherited collections will fall into the lower grades.
If you are unsure where your coin stands, the CoinHix app allows you to scan the coin for a preliminary grade assessment. This is a great first step before spending money on professional grading services. Remember that even a heavily worn 1920 nickel is worth more than its 5-cent face value, making it a “keeper” every single time.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $1.25 – $2.50 |
| Fine (F-12) | $4.50 – $7.00 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $18.00 – $30.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $45.00 – $65.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60+) | $150.00 and up |
Rarity Factors and Why No Mint Mark Still Matters
Many beginners believe that a coin must have a mint mark to be valuable. However, the Philadelphia-struck 1920 nickel holds its own because it is the baseline for the entire year’s production. While the “D” and “S” mint marks are indeed rarer and more expensive, a well-preserved Philadelphia nickel is easier to trade and sell because there is a high demand from “type set” collectors who just want one beautiful example from 1920.
If you find a specimen that is exceptionally shiny or shows incredible detail on the bison’s tail and the Indian warrior’s braid, you could be looking at a substantial investment. You can find more detailed 1920 Buffalo Nickel worth information to help you compare your coin against high-resolution photos of certified examples.
Another factor to check for is “strike quality.” In 1920, the dies used to stamp the coins were sometimes worn down, resulting in “mushy” details even on coins that never saw circulation. A “well-struck” 1920 nickel—one where the buffalo’s horn is completely visible and sharp—commands a much higher premium than a weakly struck one. Professional collectors spend years hunting for these perfectly struck Philadelphia nickels.
Specific Errors to Look for on Your 1920 Nickel
Beyond the standard grades, error coins can be a “jackpot” for everyday finders. While the 1920 issue isn’t as famous for errors as the 1937-D “3-Legged Buffalo,” there are still things to keep an eye out for. Look for “Die Cracks,” which appear as raised lines of metal on the surface, or “Clipped Planchets,” where the coin looks like a bite was taken out of the edge during manufacturing.
Repunched dates are another area of interest. Sometimes the person responsible for creating the die would strike the date twice, leaving a ghosted image behind the primary numbers. If you think you see something strange on your coin, magnification is your best friend. The CoinHix app’s zoom features can help you spot these tiny anomalies that the naked eye might miss.
Finally, check the “rims” of your 1920 nickel. Sometimes coins were struck “off-center,” meaning the design doesn’t take up the whole circle perfectly. Even a slight 5% to 10% off-center strike can increase the value of a common Philadelphia nickel from a couple of dollars to $20 or $50 depending on how much of the date is still visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1920 Buffalo Nickel?
A: The mint mark is located on the reverse (back) side of the coin, directly below the words “FIVE CENTS” and above the rim. If there is no letter (like D or S) in that spot, it means the coin was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Why is my 1920 nickel’s date hard to read?
A: The Buffalo Nickel design was notorious for having a “raised” date. Because the date was one of the highest points on the coin’s surface, it rubbed against other coins and fingers more frequently, causing it to wear away quickly.
Q: Should I clean my 1920 Buffalo Nickel to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean your coins. Collectors prefer the natural patina and aging of a coin. Cleaning creates tiny scratches on the surface and strips away the “original” look, which can actually decrease the value by 50% or more.
Q: How can I tell if my 1920 nickel is a “Fine” or “Uncirculated” grade?
A: Look at the buffalo’s horn and the Indian’s hair. In “Fine” condition, the horn will be flat and the hair will lack detail. In “Uncirculated” condition, the horn will be sharp and pointed, and you will see distinct strands of hair.
