Undated Buffalo nickels are worth about ten cents each, but only because people use them for jewelry, shirt buttons, and a variety of other uses. All other types of nickels without dates are only worth face value.
How can you tell if a Buffalo nickel is rare?
Look carefully for an underlying “7” under the last digit “8” in the date. Numismatic experts believe that the mint produced over 100,000 of these coins. A majority of them circulated before collectors could save them for their coin collections. Therefore, the uncirculated specimens are extremely rare.
Where is the date on an old buffalo nickel?
The date is located just on the bottom left on the Buffalo nickel — on the shoulder of the Indian. This means that the date sits high off the surface of the coin and is one of the first places that wear will take place on the Buffalo nickel.
Where do you put Nic a date on a buffalo nickel?
Apply one drop of Nic-a-Date to the area of the coin where the date should appear. For Buffalo Nickels, this is on the bottom of the head’s side of the coin.
Is there a way to restore a dateless Buffalo nickel?
Sometimes it is possible to recover the date on a dateless Buffalo nickel by putting a drop of ferric chloride on the spot where the date used to be. This chemical called a “date restorer” is sold under the trade name “Nic-A-Date.”
How can you tell the grade of a buffalo nickel?
The date area is high in relief on Buffalo nickels and quickly wears. A bold date showing places your coin in the upper grade ranges. Tilting the coin under the light at different angles helps find subtle details. Compare to the grading images, finding the grade closest to the condition of your coin.
How much is an undated Buffalo nickel worth?
A coin collector must know the date to determine its value and see if it is a rare nickel or not. Undated Buffalo nickels are worth about ten cents each, but only because people use them for jewelry, shirt buttons, and a variety of other uses.
