1937 Buffalo Head Nickel Appraisal
Category: Coin
Description
This is a U.S. five-cent coin, commonly known as a Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel. The obverse of the coin features a right-facing profile of a Native American chief, believed to be a composite of several Native Americans, including Chief Iron Tail, Chief Two Moons, and Chief John Big Tree. The date '1937' is clearly visible below the profile of the chief's neck and shoulders. The word 'LIBERTY' is inscribed along the top right rim. The coin appears to be silver-colored, likely made of a copper-nickel alloy characteristic of these coins. The image is somewhat blurry, so fine details of the design are not perfectly clear. Wear is visible on the raised surfaces, particularly on the braids and facial features of the chief, indicating it has been in circulation. There is some surface grime or toning present. No mint mark is visible in this view, which would be located below the 'FIVE CENTS' text on the reverse (not shown). The condition appears to be circulated, likely in grades ranging from Good to Very Good based on the visible wear. The craftsmanship is typical for U.S. coinage of this era.
Appraisal Report
Based on my examination of the provided image, this is a 1937 Buffalo Head Nickel, a common date in the series. The coin exhibits noticeable wear on the high points of the design, such as the Native American chief's cheekbone and braids, consistent with a circulated condition, likely grading in the Good to Very Good range. The date '1937' is fully legible, which is a key factor. No mint mark is visible or mentioned, so I am assuming it is a Philadelphia issue (1937-P), which is the most common for this year with a mintage of nearly 80 million. The market for common-date, circulated Buffalo nickels is primarily driven by collectors filling album sets. While these coins are historically significant and popular, their high mintage numbers keep values modest for circulated examples. The value is significantly impacted by condition; higher, uncirculated grades command premiums, which this coin does not possess. Its value is primarily numismatic but close to its base collector level. For a definitive appraisal and authentication, a physical examination would be necessary to confirm the grade, check for any potential alterations or damage not visible in the image, and verify the absence of a mint mark (D or S) on the reverse, which would slightly alter the value.
Appraisal Value
$0.50 - $1.25