Whitman Expo
1937-S Nickel MS Values
Details
The 1937-S Buffalo nickel is considered the most common San Francisco issue in the series, and it doesn’t take much to see how this claim holds water. With an estimated 9,000 survivors in MS65 alone, this piece is miles ahead of other S-mint Buffalo nickels in terms of overall availability, even among other 1930s San Francisco Buffalo nickels. What’s more, strike, luster, and color are usually great for the 1937-S nickel. A tiny handful of examples have been certified by PCGS and NGC as MS68s, and those pieces command huge sums.
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.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
5,635,000
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, 1937
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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