The 1917-D Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from about $15 in heavily worn condition to well over $1,000 or more in higher mint state grades — and pristine examples have sold for several thousand dollars at major auctions. If you found one of these old nickels in a drawer, a coin album, or an old jar, you may be sitting on a genuinely valuable piece of American history.
What Makes the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel Special
The “D” mintmark on the reverse of this coin tells you it was struck at the Denver Mint in 1917. That single letter makes a real difference in value compared to the Philadelphia issue.
The Denver Mint produced 9,910,800 Buffalo Nickels in 1917 — a moderate mintage by early 20th-century standards. Not a rare coin in lower grades, but finding a well-preserved example today is genuinely difficult. Most surviving pieces show heavy wear because these nickels circulated hard through the years of World War I and beyond.
Buffalo Nickels — officially called the Indian Head Nickel — were designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. The obverse features a Native American portrait and the reverse shows an American bison standing on a mound. It’s one of the most iconic American coin designs ever produced, which is a big part of why collectors love them.
If you’re not sure whether your coin has a “D” mintmark or no mintmark at all, you can use a free coin identifier app to help sort that out quickly without needing a magnifying glass and a reference book.
1917-D Buffalo Nickel Value by Grade
Condition is everything when it comes to Buffalo Nickel values. These coins are notorious for weak strikes on the high points — especially the bison’s shoulder and the date — so even lightly circulated coins can look rougher than they are.
Here’s a general value guide based on typical retail prices:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Very worn, date and mintmark visible | $15 – $20 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | Moderate wear, outlines clear | $25 – $35 |
| Fine (F-12) | Even wear, some detail remains | $40 – $60 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Light-to-moderate wear on high points | $80 – $120 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear, sharp overall | $175 – $250 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Slight wear on highest points only | $300 – $450 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated with minor marks | $700 – $1,200 |
| Mint State (MS-65) | Gem uncirculated, sharp strike | $2,500 – $5,000+ |
For the most current auction results and retail prices, you can check the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel price data in mint state grades to see what these coins have actually sold for recently.
How to Check the Condition of Your 1917-D Nickel
You don’t need to be a professional numismatist to get a rough sense of your coin’s grade. Look at the bison’s hip and shoulder — those are the first areas to show wear. Also check the hair above the Native American’s ear on the obverse.
If the date is weak or barely readable, that’s common on Buffalo Nickels and doesn’t necessarily mean the coin is in poor shape overall. It often comes down to how well the coin was struck in the first place, not just circulation wear.
A sharp, well-struck 1917-D in About Uncirculated condition is a genuinely attractive coin that most collectors would be happy to own. CoinHix is a great tool for looking up recent sales data once you have a rough grade in mind — it lets you compare your coin against real auction records quickly and easily.
Tips for Selling or Getting Your 1917-D Buffalo Nickel Appraised
If your coin looks like it might be in Fine condition or better, it’s worth getting a professional opinion before you sell. Local coin dealers, coin shows, and online platforms like eBay (sold listings) are all good starting points for research.
For coins that appear to be in Extremely Fine or higher condition, consider submitting to a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. A certified grade adds credibility and typically increases the selling price significantly — sometimes by hundreds of dollars.
You can also browse detailed 1917 nickel value information by grade and mintmark to get a fuller picture before approaching a dealer. Knowledge is your best negotiating tool.
CoinHix also lets you track Buffalo Nickel values over time, which is handy if you’re not in a rush to sell and want to watch the market for a while. And if you’re going through a larger collection of old coins, CoinHix can help you identify and estimate values across multiple pieces at once.
FAQ About the 1917-D Buffalo Nickel
Q: How do I know if my nickel is the 1917-D and not the Philadelphia issue?
A: Look at the reverse of the coin, just below the words “FIVE CENTS.” A small “D” mintmark there means it was made in Denver. No mintmark means Philadelphia. The Denver coin is generally worth more across all grades.
Q: My 1917-D Buffalo Nickel has a weak date — does that lower the value?
A: A weak date is extremely common on Buffalo Nickels due to die wear and strike issues at the mint. As long as the date is still readable, it doesn’t dramatically reduce the value. What matters most is the overall wear and eye appeal of the coin.
Q: Is a 1917-D Buffalo Nickel worth getting professionally graded?
A: For coins in Very Fine condition or below, professional grading fees may not be worth it since the potential upside is limited. But if your coin looks like it’s in Extremely Fine or better condition — especially if it’s uncirculated — third-party grading can significantly increase what you get when you sell.
