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Your 1915 Nickel Value: What Collectors Actually Pay in 2026

A PCGS MS67 1915-S Buffalo Nickel sold for $50,600 at Bowers & Merena. Even well-worn examples of the scarce 1915-S start at $40–$80 — dramatically more than face value. Find out exactly where your coin falls.

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$50,600 Top auction record
(PCGS MS67 1915-S)
1.5M 1915-S mintage
(5th-lowest in series)
3 Mints Philadelphia, Denver
& San Francisco
4+ Documented error
varieties (DDO, RPMs)
$50,600Top PCGS auction sale
1915-SSemi-key, 1.5M struck
75% CuCopper-nickel alloy
~$4+Min value (Philly, G-4)
1915-S Buffalo Nickel obverse and reverse showing Native American portrait and buffalo design

Is Your 1915 Nickel the Scarce 1915-S?

The 1915-S is the most valuable standard-issue coin of this year — and the difference between it and a Philadelphia coin can be $30 to thousands of dollars. Use this quick self-checker to confirm what you have.

Comparison of 1915 Philadelphia (no mint mark) versus 1915-S Buffalo Nickel reverse, showing the S mint mark location

🔍 Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

  • Reverse: blank space below FIVE CENTS
  • Mintage: 20.9 million — most common 1915
  • Good grade value: ~$4–$10
  • Gem MS value: $75–$150+ range

⭐ San Francisco (S Mint Mark)

  • Reverse: small "S" visible below FIVE CENTS
  • Mintage: only 1,505,000 — 5th lowest in series
  • Good grade value: $40–$80
  • Gem MS value: $1,000–$10,000+

Four-Point 1915-S Verification Checklist

Describe Your 1915 Nickel for a Detailed Assessment

Not sure how to grade your coin? Type a plain-English description below and our keyword analyzer will estimate value and point out which features matter most.

✅ Mention these things if you can

  • Mint mark (D, S, or none)
  • Date clarity (clear, faint, partial)
  • Buffalo's horn condition
  • Hair braid detail on obverse
  • Any feather count in headdress
  • Signs of doubling on the date

💡 Also helpful

  • Overall luster (bright, dull, toned)
  • Any cleaning or scratches
  • PCGS/NGC slab details if certified
  • Overlapping or doubled mint mark
  • How many feathers in headdress
  • Any rim dings or damage

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Free 1915 Buffalo Nickel Value Calculator

Answer three quick questions to get a value estimate for your specific coin. All estimates are based on PCGS auction records and current market data.

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Step 1 of 3 — Which mint struck your coin?

Look on the reverse below FIVE CENTS: "D" = Denver, "S" = San Francisco, blank = Philadelphia.

Step 2 of 3 — What is the condition?

Check the buffalo's horn tip and the Native American's hair braid — these show wear first.

Step 3 of 3 — Any known errors or varieties?

If you're unsure about mint marks or errors, the 1915 Buffalo Nickel Coin Value Checker with photo upload is a free third-party tool that estimates your coin's value from a photograph.

Everything on This Page

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🔍 1915-S Self-Checker 🧮 Value Calculator 📝 Describe Your Coin 📊 Value Chart ⚠️ Error Varieties Guide 📈 Mintage Data 🏅 How to Grade 💰 Where to Sell

The Valuable 1915 Buffalo Nickel Errors — Complete Guide

Error coins from the 1915 Buffalo Nickel series are well documented and actively pursued by variety collectors. The four main varieties span doubled dies, die polishing anomalies, and repunched mint marks — each carrying a meaningful premium above standard examples of the same date and grade. Understanding the diagnostics for each is the first step toward accurate attribution and fair pricing.

1915 Buffalo Nickel DDO FS-101 doubled die obverse showing doubling on the date and portrait
MOST FAMOUS
$200 – $1,500+

DDO FS-101 — Doubled Die Obverse

The 1915 DDO FS-101 is a hub-doubled die variety where the working die received more than one misaligned hub impression during the die-making process. This is a true doubled die error — not mechanical doubling — meaning the doubling is built permanently into the die and appears identically on every coin struck from it.

Visually, collectors look for separation and spread in the date numerals and surrounding obverse design elements including the Native American's portrait and the word LIBERTY. The doubling is most evident under a 5× to 10× loupe on the "1" and "5" of the date, where two distinct outlines can be seen rather than a single clean digit.

An AU58 example sold at Heritage Auctions for $1,320 in 2019, demonstrating strong collector demand even in high circulated grades. Because the doubling must be confirmed rather than assumed, attributing this variety correctly — ideally with PCGS or NGC certification — is essential before commanding top dollar.

How to spot it

Use a 10× loupe on the date "1915" and the word LIBERTY. Look for two distinct raised outlines on the numerals — genuine hub doubling shows rounded, separated elements, not flat mechanical doubling.

Mint mark

Philadelphia (no mint mark) — all known examples are from the main mint.

Notable

Heritage Auctions AU58 sold for $1,320 in 2019. Attributed as FS-101 in the Cherrypickers' Guide. PCGS population for certified AU examples remains modest, keeping prices firm.

1915 Buffalo Nickel Two Feathers FS-401 showing two feathers in headdress instead of three due to die polishing
BEST KEPT SECRET
$150 – $800+

Two Feathers FS-401

The Two Feathers variety occurs when overzealous die polishing during routine mint maintenance removed the innermost feather from the Native American chief's headdress. Only two feathers remain where three should appear — a subtle but definitively die-caused alteration that distinguishes this variety from a simply worn coin.

The key diagnostic requirement is that the missing feather must be accompanied by die-polish flow lines in the field immediately surrounding the headdress. On worn coins where the feather has disappeared from circulation, no such polish marks are present. Examining this under a loupe in raking light quickly separates genuine examples from normal worn coins.

The 1915 FS-401 appears on both Philadelphia and Denver issues within this year. Common Two Feathers dates trade in the $200–$400 range in VF. The 1915 variety is among the more available dates in this sub-series, making it accessible for collectors beginning to explore die-polished variety collecting. PCGS has a dedicated article documenting all known Two Feathers Buffalo Nickel dates.

How to spot it

Count feathers in the headdress under a 10× loupe — three is normal, two is the variety. Confirm by looking for die-polish flow lines in the field near the headdress. A worn-away feather shows no such polish marks.

Mint mark

Both Philadelphia (no mark) and Denver (D) issues — check both if you have either mint.

Notable

Listed as FS-401 in the Cherrypickers' Guide. PCGS published a dedicated feature article on the Two Feathers sub-series. 1917-S and 1921-S are the key dates of this sub-series; the 1915 is relatively obtainable.

1915-D Buffalo Nickel RPM FS-501 showing repunched D mint mark with secondary impression visible
MOST VALUABLE RPM
$300 – $5,000+

1915-D/D RPM FS-501

The 1915-D/D RPM FS-501 is a repunched mint mark variety on the Denver issue. During this era, mint mark letters were individually hand-punched into working dies using a separate punch tool. When the punch was applied more than once at slightly different angles or positions, a secondary impression was left in the die and transferred to every coin struck from it.

On this variety, the "D" mint mark shows clear evidence of being punched into the die twice, with remnants of the underlying D visible to the northeast of the primary mark. Examination under a 5× or 10× loupe reveals the ghost of the secondary D as a raised partial outline adjacent to the dominant mark. Strike quality on 1915-D coins is generally good, which helps make the RPM more visible.

This variety is widely regarded as one of the most notable RPMs in the entire Buffalo Nickel series. An MS63 example brought $4,920 at auction, illustrating how attribution alone elevates a coin well above its standard counterpart. PCGS population for attributed MS examples is limited, supporting strong pricing for well-preserved specimens.

How to spot it

Examine the D mint mark under a 10× loupe. Look for a secondary D outline to the northeast of the primary mark — it appears as a partial raised letter partially overlapping or adjacent to the dominant impression.

Mint mark

Denver (D) issues only — this variety cannot appear on Philadelphia or San Francisco coins.

Notable

Auction record of $4,920 in MS63 at Heritage Auctions. Attributed as FS-501 by CONECA and the Cherrypickers' Guide. Considered one of the premier RPM varieties in the Buffalo Nickel series by variety specialists.

1915-S Buffalo Nickel RPM FS-501 showing repunched S mint mark with secondary impression visible
RAREST
$500 – $8,000+

1915-S/S RPM FS-501

The 1915-S/S RPM FS-501 is the repunched mint mark variety on the already-scarce San Francisco issue. Like the Denver RPM, this variety arose when a mint mark punch was applied twice to a working die with slight misalignment. The result is a secondary S impression visible around the edges of the primary mark — a permanent die characteristic found on all coins from that die.

Because the 1915-S is already one of the most collectible semi-key dates in the Buffalo Nickel series with only 1,505,000 coins struck, attributing the RPM variety on top of the base date's scarcity creates a compounded collector premium. Finding a well-preserved 1915-S with an attributable RPM is considerably more challenging than finding the standard issue in the same grade.

Values reflect both the scarce base date and the added variety premium. In circulated grades, the RPM attribution can add 30–60% above a standard 1915-S in the same condition. In Mint State, where the base date already commands hundreds to thousands of dollars, an attributed RPM on a sharply struck example is a genuinely significant numismatic find, and PCGS/NGC certification is strongly recommended before selling.

How to spot it

Under a 10× loupe, examine the S mint mark for secondary S impressions around the perimeter of the primary mark — look for partial curved serifs or overlapping letter outlines with distinct raised separation.

Mint mark

San Francisco (S) issues only — must be a 1915-S to qualify; Philadelphia and Denver coins cannot show this RPM.

Notable

Catalogued as FS-501. The PCGS auction record for a standard 1915-S MS67 is $50,600 (Bowers & Merena 2006), showing base-date demand; RPM attribution adds further premium on top of this already valuable issue.

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1915 Buffalo Nickel Value Chart at a Glance

For a deeper look at how grading and strike quality affect prices, the complete 1915 nickel identification guide and value breakdown covers every grade tier with photo examples and attribution criteria. The table below summarizes current market ranges by variety and condition.

Variety Worn (G–VG) Circulated (F–XF) Uncirculated (MS60–63) Gem MS (MS64+)
1915 (Philadelphia) $4 – $12 $14 – $45 $75 – $150 $200 – $600+
1915-D (Denver) $18 – $40 $45 – $120 $175 – $450 $700 – $3,500+
1915-S (San Francisco) SEMI-KEY $40 – $90 $110 – $350 $500 – $1,500 $3,000 – $50,600+
1915 DDO FS-101 $80 – $200 $250 – $700 $700 – $1,320+ Premium above std.
1915-D/D RPM FS-501 TOP RPM $150 – $400 $450 – $1,200 $1,500 – $4,920+ Significant premium
1915 Matte Proof Not applicable — proof issue only $1,100+ (PF-63) $5,000 – $69,000+

Values are market ranges based on PCGS auction data. Cleaned, damaged, or problem coins trade at significant discounts. Well-struck examples with original surfaces command premiums.

📱 CoinKnow lets you photograph your 1915 nickel and get an instant grade estimate and value range without needing to know the Sheldon scale — a coin identifier and value app.

1915 Buffalo Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Group of 1915 Buffalo Nickels showing all three mint mark varieties: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
Mint Mint Mark 1915 Mintage Series Rank Collector Status
Philadelphia None 20,986,220 Moderate Common in circulated grades; scarce in Gem MS
Denver D 7,569,000 Low-moderate Semi-scarce; very scarce in MS64+
San Francisco S 1,505,000 5th lowest in series Semi-key; scarce in all grades, elusive in Gem
Philadelphia (Proof) None Extremely low (2nd lowest proof mintage in series) Near top of proof rarity scale Key proof rarity; most in PR65–PR66
Total business strike production ~30,060,220 8th lowest decade production Overall low-production year within the series

Coin Specifications

  • Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel (no silver)
  • Weight: 5.00 grams
  • Diameter: 21.2 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Designer: James Earle Fraser
  • Obverse: Native American portrait (composite of three subjects)
  • Reverse: American bison ("Black Diamond" of Central Park Zoo)
  • Series: Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel), 1913–1938

Note: Survival rates for 1915 coins in Fine and better condition are substantially reduced compared to mintage figures. The 1915-S in particular saw minimal hoarding before the hobby of coin collecting became mainstream in the early 1930s, explaining its scarcity in higher grades despite its early 20th-century vintage.

How to Grade Your 1915 Buffalo Nickel

Grading a Buffalo Nickel requires assessing four factors: surface preservation, strike sharpness, luster quality, and eye appeal. The bison's horn and the Native American's hair braid are the two primary wear checkpoints.

Buffalo Nickel grading strip showing four condition tiers from worn Good grade to Gem Mint State

Worn — Good to Very Good (G–VG)

Date is readable but may be faint. The buffalo's horn is worn flat and barely distinguishable from the head. Hair braid on the obverse shows no strand separation. Major design elements are outlined but flat.

1915 (P): $4–$12  |  1915-D: $18–$40  |  1915-S: $40–$90

Circulated — Fine to Extremely Fine (F–XF)

Horn tip is present but shows wear. Hair braid has moderate separation. Feathers show some detail. In XF, the horn is sharp but has light flat spots, and most design elements retain clear definition.

1915 (P): $14–$45  |  1915-D: $45–$120  |  1915-S: $110–$350

Uncirculated — MS60 to MS63

No wear present — confirmed by unbroken luster rotating under a single light source. Some bag marks or contact marks present. The cheek of the Indian and the bison's hip may show minor abrasions from mint bag handling.

1915 (P): $75–$150  |  1915-D: $175–$450  |  1915-S: $500–$1,500

Gem — MS64 to MS67

Virtually free of contact marks. Strike sharpness is critical here — the horn must show full definition, and the braid lines must be sharp. Original luster should cover all surfaces fully. Eye appeal is a major factor at this tier for the 1915-S.

1915 (P): $200–$600+  |  1915-D: $700–$3,500+  |  1915-S: $3,000–$50,600+
Pro Tip — Strike Premium on the 1915-S: Even gem-grade 1915-S coins show a wide range of strike quality. Eye appeal is a critical consideration, as this issue seldom comes with sharp, well-defined detail even in high grades. A fully struck 1915-S with bold horn, sharp braid, and original luster commands a substantial premium over a weakly struck example of the same numerical grade. Always buy the coin, not just the grade.

🔎 CoinKnow can help you match your coin's condition to graded examples by comparing uploaded photos against a database of certified Buffalo Nickels — a coin identifier and value app.

Where to Sell Your Valuable 1915 Buffalo Nickel

Different venues offer different trade-offs between convenience, speed, and maximum return. Here's an honest breakdown for each major channel.

🏛️ Heritage Auctions

The premier venue for key dates and error varieties. Heritage reaches the widest pool of serious Buffalo Nickel collectors, which is critical for 1915-S examples or attributed RPMs where competitive bidding drives the best prices. Expect consignment fees of 10–20%. Best for coins worth $500+.

🛒 eBay

Ideal for circulated and mid-grade examples where auction competition still applies. Check recently sold prices for 1915 Buffalo Nickels on eBay to calibrate your starting price before listing. Use "Buy It Now" for common-date examples and auction-format for scarcer varieties. Always disclose condition honestly.

🏪 Local Coin Shop

Fastest option for immediate cash payment. Dealers typically offer 60–75% of retail value to maintain their profit margin. Useful for worn circulated examples where auction fees would exceed the benefit of maximum price. Get at least two dealer quotes before accepting an offer on any 1915-S example.

💬 Reddit r/coins

The r/coins and r/CoinSales communities are active and knowledgeable. Good for getting informal valuations from other collectors before selling. Direct sales here attract smaller premiums than dedicated auction platforms, but fees are zero. Best for mid-range coins where eBay fees would eat into your return.

Get It Graded First (1915-S, DDO FS-101, or RPM Varieties): Any 1915-S in XF or better, or any coin with an attributed error variety, should be submitted to PCGS or NGC before selling. Certification removes buyer skepticism, provides insurance against disputes, and routinely adds 20–50% to realized prices compared to raw (unslabbed) examples. The submission fee is modest compared to the premium a slab provides on higher-value coins.

Frequently Asked Questions — 1915 Nickel Value

How much is a 1915 Buffalo Nickel worth?
Value depends heavily on mint mark and condition. A 1915 (Philadelphia) in Good grade is worth around $4–$10. The 1915-D in Good starts near $20, and the scarce 1915-S begins around $40–$80 in well-worn grades. In Gem Mint State, the 1915-S can reach thousands of dollars, with the top auction record being $50,600 for a PCGS MS67 example sold through Bowers & Merena in 2006.
What makes the 1915-S Buffalo Nickel special?
The 1915-S has the fifth-lowest mintage in the entire Buffalo Nickel series at just 1,505,000 coins struck. It is scarce in all grades and rarely comes with strong eye appeal even in high grades. Because most circulated heavily before the hobby of coin collecting became mainstream in the 1930s, surviving examples in Fine or better condition command significant premiums among collectors.
Where is the mint mark on a 1915 Buffalo Nickel?
The mint mark appears on the reverse (buffalo side) of the coin, just below the words FIVE CENTS and beneath the buffalo's belly area. A "D" indicates Denver, and an "S" indicates San Francisco. Philadelphia-minted coins have no mint mark. Look closely along the lower reverse with a loupe — the small letter sits just beneath the denomination text.
What errors exist on the 1915 Buffalo Nickel?
The 1915 series has four documented die varieties: the DDO FS-101 doubled die obverse (doubling visible on the date and portrait elements), the Two Feathers FS-401 (innermost headdress feather removed by die polishing), the 1915-D/D RPM FS-501 repunched mint mark on Denver coins, and the 1915-S/S RPM FS-501 repunched mint mark on San Francisco coins. Each variety commands a premium over standard examples in the same grade.
Is the 1915 Buffalo Nickel made of silver?
No. The 1915 Buffalo Nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel — the same alloy used throughout the Buffalo Nickel series (1913–1938). It contains no silver. The coin weighs 5 grams and measures 21.2 mm in diameter. Its melt value is minimal — typically only a few cents — so all of its collector value derives from rarity, condition, and variety attribution, not metal content.
How do I grade a 1915 Buffalo Nickel?
Focus on two key checkpoints: the buffalo's horn on the reverse and the Native American's hair braid on the obverse. In Good grade, the date is readable but the horn is worn flat. Fine coins show moderate detail with some separation in the braid. Extremely Fine examples have a sharp, complete horn and distinct feather details. Uncirculated coins retain original mint luster with no wear, though strike sharpness also affects value significantly for 1915 issues.
What is the matte proof 1915 Buffalo Nickel worth?
The 1915 Matte Proof Buffalo Nickel has the second-lowest proof mintage in the series. Most surviving examples grade between PR65 and PR66. Values start around $1,100 in PF-63 and rise steeply for higher grades. A PR69 example sold through Bowers and Merena in April 2005 set a record of $69,000, according to CoinValueChecker, making it the single highest-value 1915 nickel on record across all varieties and grades.
What is the Two Feathers variety on the 1915 Buffalo Nickel?
The Two Feathers variety (FS-401) occurs when die polishing during mint maintenance removed the innermost feather from the Native American's headdress, leaving only two feathers visible instead of the normal three. To confirm authenticity, the absence must be accompanied by die-polish flow lines in the surrounding field — a feather missing simply from heavy circulation wear does not qualify. Both Philadelphia and Denver 1915 issues can show this variety.
Should I clean my 1915 Buffalo Nickel?
Never clean a 1915 Buffalo Nickel. Cleaning removes original surfaces and mint luster, permanently lowering the coin's grade and collector value. Cleaned coins show unnatural brightness or fine hairline scratches under magnification and are worth significantly less than original problem-free examples of the same grade. Serious collectors strongly prefer original, undisturbed surfaces — even a lightly cleaned coin can lose 30–50% of its market value compared to an original example.
What is the 1915-D/D RPM FS-501 Buffalo Nickel?
The 1915-D/D RPM FS-501 is a repunched mint mark variety where the "D" mint mark was punched into the working die more than once at slightly different positions. Under a loupe, you can see a remnant D visible to the northeast of the primary mark. It is widely regarded as one of the most notable RPM varieties in the Buffalo Nickel series. An MS63 example sold at Heritage Auctions for $4,920, demonstrating how attribution alone adds substantial value above a standard 1915-D.

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