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The 1920-S Buffalo nickel is another scarce San Francisco Mint issue, of similar rarity to other early entries in the series. Fewer than 9.7 million were minted, making this one of the lower-mintage issues in the series. But that alone doesn’t tell the whole tale behind the rarity of this coin. It is a truly difficult coin in uncirculated grade and exceptionally rare in Gem levels, perhaps one of the rarest, if not the rarest in that grade range besides the elusive the 1926-S Buffalo nickel. This fact is borne out in the population stats, with around 50 examples available in MS65 or higher, just one MS66 having been slabbed by NGC.
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:
3121
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1920
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:
1920-S
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
9,689,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3946
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Coin Value History
1920-S 5c MS
Value By Grade
1920-S 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$72,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $60,000 | $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 |
1920-S 5C MS65+ PCGS. ...
$34,160
1920-S 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS Population: 76 in 62, 465 finer (12/25). CDN: $750 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 9,689,00...
$1,037
1920-S 5C XF45 NGC. NGC Census: 52 in 45, 592 finer (12/25). CDN: $165 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 9,689,000. ...
$180
1920-S 5C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 88 in 55, 702 finer (11/25). CDN: $290 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 9,689,00...
$408
1920-S 5C MS64+ PCGS. CAC....
$6,300
1920-S 5C AU58 PCGS. Mintage 9,689,000. ...
$780
1920-S 5C MS61 PCGS. PCGS Population: (5/513). Mintage 9,689,000. ...
$840
1920-S 5C MS63 PCGS. Mintage 9,689,000. ...
$1,560
1920-S 5C VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (47/1116). NGC Census: (35/722). CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 9,689...
$79
1920-S 5C VF30 NGC. NGC Census: (47/671). PCGS Population: (75/1040). CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 9,689,...
$77
1920-S 5c PCGS VF35
$160
1920-S 5C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (26/519). PCGS Population: (34/738). CDN: $230 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 9,689,...
$204
1920-S 5C XF40 NGC. NGC Census: (26/598). PCGS Population: (78/894). CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 9,689,...
$149
1920-S 5C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (57/765). NGC Census: (12/538). CDN: $215 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 9,689...
$240
1920-S 5c PCGS XF Details (Environmental Damage)
$22
1920-S 5c PCGS VG-08
$20
1920-S 5c PCGS F12
$35
1920-S 5C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population (24/963). NGC Census: (14/699). Mintage: 9,689,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for probl...
$42
1920-S 5C Two Feathers, FS-401 VG10 PCGS. (FS-016.631). PCGS Population (2/15). NGC Census: (0/0)....
$100
$43,660
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
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