Price Guide for 1931 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.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $360.00Uncirculated: $0.50 – $63,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.02 – $97.00Uncirculated: $30.09 – $1,776.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10.00 – $90.00Uncirculated: $100.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $65.00Uncirculated: $89.00 – $264.00
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eBayCirculated: $76.00 – $132.50Uncirculated: $209.16 – $700.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $150.00Uncirculated: $325.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $79.00 – $540.50
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eBayCirculated: $60.00 – $154.72Uncirculated: $191.05 – $350.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $160.00Uncirculated: $175.00 – $750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1931 Nickel
The 1931 Buffalo Nickel was produced during the Great Depression, a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. This year marked one of the lowest mintage years for the Buffalo Nickel series, which had been in circulation since 1913. The coin features the iconic Native American profile on the obverse and the American bison on the reverse, both designed by James Earle Fraser.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | S (San Francisco) |
| 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
The condition of a 1931-S Buffalo Nickel has a significant impact on its value. Due to the coin’s scarcity and age, well-preserved specimens are highly sought after by collectors. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition command substantial premiums, with those grading MS65 or higher being extremely rare and valuable.
Strike quality is particularly important for this issue, as many 1931-S nickels were weakly struck. Coins with full horn details on the bison are especially desirable. The presence of luster and absence of significant marks or wear also greatly enhance the coin’s value.
Mintage: 1,200,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Toning can play a role in the desirability of 1931-S Buffalo Nickels. Coins with attractive, natural toning may command a premium among collectors. Additionally, the overall eye appeal of the coin, combining factors such as strike, luster, and surface preservation, can significantly influence its value.
As a key date in the Buffalo Nickel series, the 1931-S is highly sought after by collectors attempting to complete date and mint mark sets. This consistent demand helps maintain strong values for this issue across all grade levels, with exceptional specimens often achieving remarkable prices at auction.
