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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Robert L. Rodriguez combines cutting-edge science, numismatic research, and detective work to uncover new evidence about one of the nation's most enigmatic artifacts.
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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
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1921-S 5c MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1921-s-5c-buffalo-nickel/gsid/3122 GSID: 3122 Title: 1921-S 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1921-S 5c MS
Value By Grade
1921-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 |
|
$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 |
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]
![Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 1 Reverse, 1913 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20220224/www_davidlawrence_com_product_2199064_-0.20220224083111332.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $7 – $16,000
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $7 – $16,000
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $13 – $40,200
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 1 MS
Worth: $16 – $19,200
Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]
![Buffalo Nickel 5c Type 2 Reverse, 1913-1938 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/26d-3l-obv.jpeg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $1 – $4,800
1913 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $7 – $3,600
1913-D 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $80 – $36,000
1913-S 5c Buffalo, Type 2 MS
Worth: $140 – $30,000
1914 5c MS
Worth: $12 – $4,020
1914/(3) 5c MS
Worth: $150 – $50,000
1914-D 5c MS
Worth: $70 – $21,600
1914-S 5c MS
Worth: $22 – $75,000
1915 5c MS
Worth: $4 – $9,600
1915-D 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $18,000
1915-S 5c MS
Worth: $38 – $50,000
1921-S 5C Fine 12 PCGS. CDN: $132 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$124
1921-S 5C AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 19 in 53, 602 finer (10/26). CDN: $1,150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 1,557...
$1,129
1921-S Buffalo Nickel. EF-45 (NGC).
$915
1921-S 5C MS65 PCGS. CAC. ...
$10,370
1921-S 5C -- Laminations -- XF40 ANACS. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$171
1921-S Buffalo Nickel. VF-25 (NGC).
$195
1921-S Buffalo Nickel. MS-64 (PCGS). OGH.
$5,612
1921-S 5C VG10 PCGS. CDN: $80 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG10. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$124
1921-S 5C -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. VF30 Details. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$119
1921-S Buffalo Nickel. AU Details--Cleaned (NGC).
$915
1921-S 5C VF20 PCGS. CDN: $190 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$207
1921-S 5C MS63 PCGS. ...
$4,270
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 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 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 AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (42/549). Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$930
1921-S 5C Fine 15 ANACS. Mintage 1,557,000. ...
$119
1921-S 5C MS66 NGC....
$13,200
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Events
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins ANA Signature Auction & Platinum Session
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026