Price Guide for 1927 Nickel Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,000.00 – $47,150.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $65,000.00 – $87,500.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $978.00Uncirculated: $13.65 – $125,350.00
-
eBayCirculated: $5.00 – $799.95Uncirculated: $210.00 – $4,850.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $775.00Uncirculated: $1,050.00 – $85,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $45.00Uncirculated: $1.05 – $24,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $109.50Uncirculated: $24.20 – $1,925.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $50.00Uncirculated: $55.00 – $35,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $900.00Uncirculated: $1.10 – $46,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $6.55 – $650.00Uncirculated: $181.04 – $6,250.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $300.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $55,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $79.00 – $5,750.00Uncirculated: $7,475.00
-
eBayCirculated: $112.79 – $1,276.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $120.00 – $2,250.00Uncirculated: $3,500.00 – $7,500.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $312.00 – $840.00
-
eBayCirculated: $248.09
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $38.00 – $288.00
-
eBayCirculated: $34.09 – $335.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $800.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $646.25Uncirculated: $2,280.00
-
eBayCirculated: $76.00 – $429.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $100.00 – $150.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $114.00 – $399.50
-
eBayCirculated: $245.00
Design and Specifications of the 1927 Nickel
The 1927 Buffalo Nickel is part of the iconic series that ran from 1913 to 1938. Designed by James Earle Fraser, this coin features a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. The Buffalo Nickel is widely regarded as one of the most distinctly American coin designs in U.S. history.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | D, S (Philadelphia coins had no mint mark) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Profile of Thomas Jefferson facing left, designed by Felix Schlag |
| Reverse Design | Monticello, Jefferson's home, designed by Felix Schlag |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in the value of 1927 Buffalo Nickels. Due to the coin’s design, the date and mint mark were prone to wear, making well-preserved examples particularly valuable. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 or higher) are highly sought after, with premium prices for those grading MS65 or above.
The strength of the strike is also important, as many Buffalo Nickels suffer from weak strikes, particularly on the bison’s horn and the Indian’s hair details. Full strike examples command significant premiums.
Mintage: 37,981,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among collectors of the Buffalo Nickel series
Mintage: 5,730,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to lower mintage and semi-key date status
Mintage: 3,430,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, sought after by collectors due to key date status
Luster and toning can greatly affect a 1927 Buffalo Nickel’s desirability. Coins with original mint luster are highly prized, while those with attractive, natural toning can command premiums among collectors.
The San Francisco mintage is particularly valuable due to its lower production numbers, making it a key date in the series. Denver coins, while not as rare, are still considered semi-key dates and are more valuable than their Philadelphia counterparts.
Collectors also pay attention to the sharpness of details, particularly on the buffalo’s horn and the Indian’s braids, as these areas often show wear even on lightly circulated examples.
