What Is A 1938 D Buffalo Nickel Worth?

The 1938 D Buffalo Nickel is worth on average $8.50, while one in pristine or mint state can fetch upward of $44.00. If you find this coin and its barely recognizable however it might only fetch $6.25. - Last updated: December, 28 2023


What Is A 1938 D Buffalo Nickel Worth?
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  • Key: Better Date
  • Year: 1938
  • Mint Mark: D
  • Type: Buffalo Nickel
  • Price: $6.25-$44.00+
  • Face Value: 0.05 USD
  • Produced: 7,020,000
  • Edge: Smooth





Notes: Look for the D over S this year, they are fairly common and worth up to $90 or so. Look for the D/D or D over D as well. The year 1938 would be a transition year of sorts for the United States mint.

Buffalo Nickel Notes

It would switch from the previous Buffalo Nickel design to the moderns and current Jefferson Nickel. While there would be many variations of the Jefferson, this was the year It was first issued. Because of this the 1938 D Buffalo Nickel is a semi-key date to remember.

Buffalo Nickel Error List

Top 4 Known Buffalo Nickel Errors

  1. 3 Legged Buffalo - Missing its fourth leg known to exist in 1937 D series
  2. Off Center Strike
  3. Struck on 1c (penny) planchet
  4. Clipped Planchet

As stated above there are also D/D and D over S double strikes. Look closely at the mint marks to find these types of errors on coins in general.



Mintages

Production Chart

How much is a What Is A 1938 D Buffalo Nickel Worth? worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $6.25, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $44 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1938, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


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Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any buffalo nickel in your collection.


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Most Valuable

The most valuable Buffalo Nickel's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Buffalo Nickel 1924 S $14k
Buffalo Nickel 1926 S $7.6k
Buffalo Nickel 1927 S $5k
Buffalo Nickel 1920 D $3.5k
Buffalo Nickel 1928 D $3.4k
Buffalo Nickel 1918 D $3.3k
Buffalo Nickel 1925 S $3.3k
Buffalo Nickel 1924 D $3k
Buffalo Nickel 1920 S $2.5k
Buffalo Nickel 1919 D $2,350
Buffalo Nickel 1916 D $1,780
Buffalo Nickel 1918 S $1,760
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1989 P $345.22
1989 $345,000
1989 D $345
Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

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***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

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