Smart Buying Guide: How to Acquire CACG-Graded Buffalo Nickels Without Getting Ripped Off
January 31, 2026Buffalo Nickels: When Numismatic Value Obliterates Base Metal Content
January 31, 2026
You Don’t Always Need a Dealer to Find These Treasures
As roll hunters, our hearts race when ordinary rolls reveal extraordinary secrets. That electric moment when tarnished nickel gives way to numismatic gold isn’t confined to auction catalogs or dealer cases – some of America’s greatest coin finds still surface in bank rolls, estate sale jars, and bulk lots. Today, we’re examining two legendary Buffalo Nickel varieties that could be resting in your hunting grounds right now: the 1928-S Two Feather and 1913-S Type 1. I’ll share precisely how to spot these rare varieties, reveal grading insights from my recent CACG submissions (with a few surprises!), and explain why these coins represent the ultimate cherry-picking achievement for any serious hunter.
Historical Significance of Buffalo Nickel Varieties
James Earle Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938) captures America’s vanishing frontier like no other coin – that noble profile of Iron Tail and Black Diamond immortalized in nickel. But within this iconic series lie dramatic design changes that transform common dates into collector’s prizes. Understanding these varieties separates casual collectors from true connoisseurs:
The 1913-S Type 1 – A Frontier Rarity
Struck only at the San Francisco Mint during the series’ turbulent first year, Type 1 nickels boast that controversial “raised mound” beneath FIVE CENTS. The design proved disastrous for die life – coins struck from fresh dies show incredible boldness in the buffalo’s horn curve and feather details, but the relief was too extreme for mass production. When you find one with original mint luster and strong strike (especially on the buffalo’s hipbone), you’re holding a piece of numismatic history that transitioned from mint to melting pot in mere months.
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- Preserving Your Buffalo Nickel Collection: A Conservationist’s Guide to Long-Term Protection – Introduction: Guarding History’s Fragile Legacy As a conservator who’s held history in my palms, I’ve …
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