No Date Buffalo Nickels: How To Find Their Value - Gainesville Coins

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Updated: June 05, 2025 No Date Buffalo Nickels: How to Find Their Value

Gainesville Coins

Published: March 11, 2022

No Date Buffalo Nickels: How to Find Their Value

Table of Contents

• Why some Buffalo nickels have no date
• Design flaws that caused the problem
• How to identify your Buffalo nickel's date
• Acid test methods and considerations
• Finding the value of dateless Buffalo nickels
• Popularity in the collector market

Key Point

All dateless Buffalo nickels are authentic coins that once displayed visible dates. The missing numbers result from circulation wear, not mint errors. These coins remain valuable collectibles even without visible dates, with values typically ranging from 20 cents to over $1, depending on the hidden date revealed.

It's quite common to find Buffalo nickels that appear dateless—missing the four digits indicating the year of manufacture. These coins present a fascinating challenge for collectors and investors interested in numismatic value beyond precious metal content. Understanding why this phenomenon occurs and how to determine these coins' worth provides valuable insight into early 20th-century American numismatics.

Unlike error coins or special varieties, dateless Buffalo nickels represent the natural result of heavy circulation during an era when nickels played a crucial role in everyday commerce. The design characteristics that made these coins beautiful also made them particularly susceptible to wear, creating today's collecting opportunities.

Why Some Buffalo nickels Have No Date

The United States Mint didn't simply forget to include dates on certain Buffalo nickels. Every dateless Buffalo nickel did, at one time, display a visible date. The missing numbers result from circulation wear and excessive handling over decades of use in commerce.

The Root Cause: Design Execution Issues

While wear represents the immediate cause of missing dates, the problem originated with flaws in the coin's design execution. U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber, known for his less-than-enthusiastic implementation of sculptor James Earle Fraser's design, may have contributed to the issue. Historical accounts suggest Barber felt bitter about his own nickel design being replaced after 21 years of use.

Date Placement

The date was positioned near high-relief portions of the design, making the numerals among the first features to wear away during circulation.

Relief Height

The raised elements of Fraser's artistic design, while beautiful, created vulnerable points that couldn't withstand repeated handling.

Heavy Circulation

The relatively low value of nickels ensured extensive circulation, causing features to wear more quickly than higher denominations.

Metal Composition

Unlike silver coins of the era, nickels contained no precious metals, encouraging their retention in active circulation.

Design Lesson

The Buffalo nickel's dating problem illustrates the tension between artistic beauty and practical durability in coin design. This experience influenced subsequent U.S. coin designs to place dates in more protected positions on the coin's surface.

Design Flaws That Caused the Problem

Understanding the specific design elements that contributed to date loss helps collectors appreciate both the artistic achievement and practical limitations of the Buffalo nickel series.

Historical Context

• Buffalo nickels circulated from 1913 to 1938
• James Earle Fraser's design emphasized artistic merit over durability
• Charles Barber's execution may have compromised wear resistance
• No precious metal content encouraged extensive circulation
• Date location proved vulnerable to wear patterns

The widespread use of nickels in commerce meant these coins experienced significantly more handling than larger denominations like half dollars and silver dollars. While collectors today seek coins for their silver content, nickels contained only copper and nickel, making them less attractive for precious metals value and more likely to remain in circulation until completely worn.

How to Identify Your Buffalo Nickel's Date

Date Location

The year-date always appears on the shoulder of the Indian Head, positioned just above the miniature "F" inscription representing designer James Earle Fraser's initial. This consistent placement helps collectors know exactly where to look for traces of the original date.

Partial dates are common on Buffalo nickels, where much of the date has disappeared but the final two digits remain partially visible. Since Buffalo nickels were minted exclusively from 1913 to 1938, the first two digits will always be "19," making it easier to determine the complete date when the last two numbers can be discerned.

Collector Tip

Remember that dateless Buffalo nickels all contain an underlying date. The challenge lies in revealing those hidden numbers through careful examination and, when necessary, professional restoration techniques. Even coins that appear completely smooth in the date area may yield surprises under proper analysis.

Inspection Techniques

• Use strong lighting and magnification to examine the date area
• Look for any traces of numbers in the shoulder region
• Check for partial digits that might indicate the year
• Consider the coin's overall wear pattern for dating clues
• Compare with dated examples to understand normal wear progression

Acid Test Methods and Considerations

Many coin dealers and collectors employ acid testing to reveal hidden dates on Buffalo nickels. This process involves applying a small amount of acid, typically ferric chloride (often sold under the brand name Nic-a-Date), to the area where the date once appeared.

Important Considerations

Acid testing damages the coin permanently. The process creates chemical reactions that may reveal date traces but also causes discoloration and surface alteration. Repeated applications over years leave increasingly visible damage to the coin's appearance.

Professional Approach

• Consider the coin's potential value before acid testing
• Understand that testing reduces collector appeal
• Use proper safety equipment and ventilation
• Apply acid sparingly to minimize damage
• Document results for future reference

The acid creates enough contrast with underlying date impressions to make numbers visible, but this process requires careful consideration. For coins that might contain valuable dates, consulting with professional numismatists before testing can prevent costly mistakes. The value revealed by dating must be weighed against the permanent alteration of the coin's surface.

Finding the Value of Dateless Buffalo Nickels

Dateless Buffalo nickels trade for a minimum of 20 cents, with many examples selling for over $1. However, prices can increase dramatically if acid testing or other methods reveal key dates or valuable varieties. Understanding the potential underlying dates helps collectors make informed decisions about testing and valuation.

Date	Variety	Typical Value
1913-S	Variety I, Mound	$50
1913-D	Variety II, Line	$125
1913-S	Variety II	$350
1914	4 Over 3	$225
1914-D	n/a	$100
1915-S	n/a	$60
1916	Doubled Die	$3,000
1918-D	8 Over 7	$1,250
1921-S	n/a	$90
1935	Doubled Die Reverse	$50
1936-D	3-1/2 Legs	$550
1937-D	3-Legged	$575

Grading Consideration

Any dateless Buffalo nickel will show heavy wear by definition. Prices listed represent values for heavily worn examples, typically grading Good-4 or lower. Even key dates revealed through acid testing will command prices at the lower end of their respective ranges due to the condition and surface alteration.

For comprehensive pricing information across all grades and varieties, collectors can reference detailed Buffalo nickel value guides that provide market data for both dated and dateless examples.

Popularity in the Collector Market

The market for dateless Buffalo nickels represents a specialized collecting niche. Unlike true error coins or intentional varieties, these coins appeal primarily to collectors interested in the challenge of identification and the historical significance of heavy circulation patterns.

Market Reality

Only a small number of collectors specialize in dateless Buffalo nickels. These coins are not considered special varieties—they're simply well-circulated examples of a popular design. However, they remain collectible and maintain value above face value, even when completely worn.

The collecting appeal stems from several factors: the mystery of hidden dates, the historical significance of circulation patterns, and the accessibility for beginning collectors. While serious numismatists may prefer higher-grade examples, dateless Buffalo nickels provide an entry point for those interested in early 20th-century American coinage.

American Gold Buffalo Coins

Experience the iconic Buffalo design in modern gold bullion form. These coins capture Fraser's artistic vision with contemporary precious metals content.

Shop Gold Buffalos

Silver Buffalo Rounds

Enjoy the classic Buffalo nickel design in silver bullion rounds that honor the original while providing precious metals investment value.

Shop Silver Buffalos

Modern Appreciation

Both the United States Mint and private refineries have recognized the enduring popularity of Fraser's Buffalo and Indian Head designs. Modern precious metals products featuring these iconic designs allow collectors to appreciate the artistry while building portfolios with intrinsic gold and silver content.

Conclusion

Dateless Buffalo nickels represent a unique intersection of artistic design, practical circulation challenges, and collecting opportunity. These coins tell the story of early 20th-century American commerce, when nickels played vital roles in daily transactions and artistic merit sometimes conflicted with durability requirements.

For collectors, these coins offer accessible entry points into Buffalo nickel collecting while providing the excitement of potentially discovering valuable hidden dates. Whether approaching them as historical artifacts, numismatic challenges, or entry-level collectibles, dateless Buffalo nickels maintain their appeal and value in today's coin market.

Understanding the factors that created these dateless coins—from design decisions to circulation patterns—enhances appreciation for both the original artistic achievement and the practical realities of early 20th-century coinage. While modern precious metals products like Gold Buffalo coins capture Fraser's design in investment-grade form, original Buffalo nickels continue telling the story of American numismatic history through their wear patterns and hidden dates.

Related Buffalo Nickel and Coin Collecting Guides

• Buffalo Nickel Values & History (1913–1938)
• What Nickels Are Silver? - Silver War Nickels
• 15 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels: Complete Price Guide
• What Is a Silver Nickel Worth? (More Than You'd Think!)
• Complete Guide to Coin Collecting for Beginners

Posted In: blog Link copied to clipboard. Login to post comment Login Theresa | 11/7/2023 I have a Indian head/buffalo nickel. I believe is 1913. All mint marks and letters are missing from the front, and most of the letters are missing from the buffalo side. How do I determine what it is worth?? 1 Reply Everett | 11/8/2023 Hi Theresa. With all of those details missing, the coin is fairly worn down. Even in that condition, your 1913 Buffalo nickel could still be worth $15 or much more depending on whether it's a Type 1 (uneven mound beneath the buffalo) or Type 2 (flat ground beneath the buffalo). It also depends on what mint the coin was struck at. The best way to find out its value would be to take it to your local coin dealer or submit it to a third-party grading service for authentication. NGC and PCGS are the two best grading companies. 0 Reply Wanda | 8/16/2023 I have 1942 pennies wheat pennies are they worth anything 1 Reply Everett | 8/17/2023 Hi Wanda. Each 1942 penny is worth at least 20 cents to $3. 0 Reply Frank | 7/23/2023 I have an Indian/Buffalo nickel no date. Was given to my Mother by her Grandmother in 1933. Any ideas on value. Lettering on Buffalo side almost all visable, any ideas? 0 Reply Everett | 7/24/2023 Hey Frank. That's very cool that your grandmother and mother passed the coin down over so many years! It is likely to be worth at least $1, but if an acid test reveals the nickel to be a key date, your coin could be worth significantly more. 0 Reply Frank | 7/23/2023 I have an Indian/Buffalo nickel no date. Was given to my Mother by her Grandmother in 1933. Any ideas on value. Lettering on Buffalo side almost all visable, any ideas? 0 Reply In order to maintain our extremely low pricing, we do not maintain in-house inventory. Upon your purchase, we source commodities from our various suppliers. Therefore, please allow approximately 8-10 weeks for your items to ship, unless additional delays beyond our control arise. For check orders please allow approximately 8-10 weeks after the check has cleared. Due to the price of metals, orders may need to be split up into multiple packages for insurance purposes. I Understand