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Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]

Greysheet & CPG® Values
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The first several million Buffalo nickels struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints feature the bison on the reverse of the coin standing upon a mound. While this version of the reverse design is considered quite beautiful by many numismatists, a major concern with this particular iteration of the design was the physically high, or proud, location of the inscription FIVE CENTS. The denominational inscription was recessed midway through 1913 to reduce the chance that it would be worn off the coin through daily use (as commonly happened to the date on the obverse of the Buffalo nickel). To accommodate this significant design change, the reverse was modified in such a way that the Buffalo stands above a horizontal line.

These changes created two major varieties in the Buffalo nickel series, with the mound reverse denoted as Type 1 and the line motif as Type 2. As a class, Type 1 Buffalo nickels are generally much scarcer than Type 2 issues, minted from mid 1913 through 1938. This is particularly true for the mintmarked Type 1 specimens.

Obverse Description

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 Description

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 raised ground.

Catalog Information

GSID: 72360
Designer: James Earle Fraser
Obverse Designer: James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering: LIBERTY, 1913
Reverse Designer: James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Weight (gr): 5 gr
Weight (oz): 0.1608 oz
Strike Type: Business
Diameter: 21.2
Coin Shape: Round
Edge: Plain
Variety: Type 1 Reverse
Variety 2: 1913
Coin Date: Buffalo Nickel
Denomination: 5c
Designation: MS
Mint Mark: Various
Coinage Type: Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years: 1913
Composition: 75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #: 3914
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Coin Value History
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
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Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
GSID:72360 PCGS:3914 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS68 CAC $15,500 $1,234
MS68 - $6,250 $1,234
MS67 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS67 - $1,234 $1,234
MS66 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS66 - $1,234 $1,234
MS65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS65 - $1,234 $1,234
MS64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS64 - $1,234 $1,234
MS63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS63 - $1,234 $1,234
MS62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS62 - $1,234 $1,234
MS61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS61 - $1,234 $1,234
MS60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234
XF40 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF40 - $1,234 $1,234
VF35 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF35 - $1,234 $1,234
VF30 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF30 - $1,234 $1,234
VF25 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF25 - $1,234 $1,234
VF20 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF20 - $1,234 $1,234
F15 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F15 - $1,234 $1,234
F12 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F12 - $1,234 $1,234
VG10 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG10 - $1,234 $1,234
VG8 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG8 - $1,234 $1,234
G6 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G6 - $1,234 $1,234
G4 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G4 - $1,234 $1,234
AG3 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG3 - $1,234 $1,234

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1913 5C Type One MS65 PCGS. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 30,993,520. ...
$171
Sold 2/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1913 5C Type One MS66 PCGS. CAC. CAC: 471 in 66, 392 finer (1/26). CDN: $230 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 30,993...
$366
Sold 2/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1913-S 5C Type One MS62 PCGS. CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 2,105,000. ...
$183
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1913 5C Type One, MS67 NGC. CDN: $800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 30,993,520. ...
$763
Sold 1/27/2026
Heritage Auctions
1913 5C Type One MS68 NGC. ...
$2,562
Sold 1/15/2026
Heritage Auctions
1913 5C Type One, MS63 PCGS. CDN: $60 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 30,993,520. ...
$84
Sold 12/30/2025
Heritage Auctions
1913-D 5C Type One, MS64 NGC. CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 5,337,000....
$174
Sold 11/25/2025
Heritage Auctions
1913-D 5C Type One AU58 PCGS. Mintage 5,337,000. ...
$109
Sold 11/4/2025
Heritage Auctions
1913-S 5C Type One MS61 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 2,105,000. ...
$159
Sold 10/21/2025
Heritage Auctions
(1913-37) 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Split Planchet After Strike -- XF40 PCGS. 2.78g. PCGS Population: (26/15640 and 0/340+). Mi...
$186
Sold 6/23/2025
Heritage Auctions
1913-S 5C Buffalo Nickel, Type One -- Reverse Lamination -- VG8 PCGS. PCGS Population: (15/3475 and 0/68+). Mintage 2,105...
$54
Sold 3/31/2025
Heritage Auctions
1913 5C Type One AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: (30/15294). Mintage 30,993,520. ...
$234
Sold 1/13/2025
Heritage Auctions
(1913-1938) 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Split Planchet After Strike 2.42 grams -- Good 6 PCGS....
$77
Sold 9/16/2024
Heritage Auctions
1913-S 5C Type One AU55 PCGS. Mintage 2,105,000. ...
$384
Sold 8/27/2024
Heritage Auctions
1913-X 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Split After Strike -- Fine 15 PCGS. (2.56g)....
$94
Sold 6/17/2024
Heritage Auctions
1913-D 5C Type One AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (35/4293). NGC Census: (22/2688). CDN: $46 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Min...
$45
Sold 3/26/2024
Heritage Auctions
1913-S 5c NGC VF30 (Type 1)
$65
Sold 3/1/2021
DLRC
1913-D 5c NGC VF35 (Type 1)
$30
Sold 2/8/2021
DLRC
1913-D 5c PCGS XF45 (Type 1)
$53
Sold 8/10/2020
DLRC
1913-S 5c PCGS VF20 (Type 1)
$60
Sold 12/23/2019
DLRC
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