Whitman Expo
The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
The 1921-S is one of the rarest Buffalo nickels in circulated grades and is scarce in uncirculated grades. This stems in large part from the coin’s very small mintage of only 1,557,000 pieces, of which perhaps fewer than 10,000 were saved. Interestingly, while the coin is very difficult in the worn grades, it’s not exceptionally hard to find in uncirculated grades. Strike is generally good, though some examples offer decidedly more detail than others. Overall, the 1921-S Buffalo nickel ranks as a true semi-key issue for the series.
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 a flat surface.
Catalog Information
GSID:
3122
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1921
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
Coin Date:
1921-S
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
1,557,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3948
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1921-S 5c MS
Value By Grade
1921-S 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$31,500 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $26,500 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1921-S 5C VF30 PCGS. CDN: $235 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$293
1921-S 5C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 46 in 55, 537 finer (1/26). CDN: $1,300 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 1,557,0...
$1,464
1921-S 5C Fine 12 PCGS. CDN: $90 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$114
1921-S 5C VG8 PCGS. CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$94
1921-S 5C MS62 PCGS. CAC. ...
$3,660
1921-S 5C XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 94 in 40, 736 finer (12/25). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 1,557,00...
$586
1921-S 5C VF20 PCGS. CDN: $190 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$214
1921-S 5C XF45 NGC. NGC Census: 73 in 45, 391 finer (12/25). CDN: $660 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 1,557,000....
$780
1921-S 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Lamination -- VF35 ANACS. A retained lamination is visible as a narrow vertical area at the fro...
$216
1921-S 5C AU58 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 66 in 58, 466 finer. CAC: 25 in 58, 46 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,500 Whsle. Bid for...
$2,040
1921-S 5C MS64 PCGS....
$5,160
1921-S 5C MS65 PCGS....
$9,300
1921-S 5C VG10 CACG. Mintage 1,557,000....
$84
1921-S 5C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (42/549). Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$930
1921-S 5C VF25 NGC. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$192
1921-S 5C Fine 15 ANACS. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$119
1921-S 5C MS63 PCGS....
$2,880
1921-S 5C MS66 NGC....
$13,200
1921-S 5C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (22/313). PCGS Population: (16/531). CDN: $1,050 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 1,55...
$1,200
1921-S 5c PCGS Good-04
$55
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
Worth: $4 – $13,000
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $4 – $13,000
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $7 – $40,200
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $22 – $19,200
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]
Worth: $0 – $4,800
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $4 – $3,120
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $50 – $36,000
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $115 – $30,000
1914 5c MS
Worth: $6 – $4,020
1914/(3) 5c MS
Worth: $150 – $50,000
1914-D 5c MS
Worth: $35 – $21,600
1914-S 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $75,000
1915 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $9,600
1915-D 5c MS
Worth: $8 – $18,000
1915-S 5c MS
Worth: $18 – $50,000
Greysheet News
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
7/23/2024
Events
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 3, 2026
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 10, 2026