1928-D Buffalo Nickel Value What This Denver Mint Coin Is Worth Today
The 1928-D Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $1 to $5 in heavily worn condition, but mint state examples can fetch $100 to over $500 depending on grade. If you’ve found one of these old nickels, you might be sitting on something more valuable than you think.
What Makes the 1928-D Buffalo Nickel Special
The 1928-D Buffalo Nickel was struck at the Denver Mint and carries a small “D” mintmark on the reverse, just below the words “FIVE CENTS.” This coin is part of the iconic Buffalo Nickel series, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. The series ran from 1913 to 1938 and remains one of the most beloved coin designs in American history.
The Denver Mint produced 6,436,000 Buffalo Nickels in 1928, making the 1928-D a relatively affordable coin compared to some other dates in the series. That said, well-preserved examples are harder to find than you might expect. These coins circulated heavily during the 1920s and 1930s, and many show significant wear on the high points — particularly the bison’s shoulder and the Native American’s cheekbone.
If you’re not sure whether your coin has a “D,” “S,” or no mintmark at all, a free coin identifier app can help you quickly confirm what you’ve got before you start comparing values. Getting the details right is the first step to understanding what your coin is truly worth.
1928-D Buffalo Nickel Value by Grade
Coin values depend heavily on condition, also called “grade.” Here’s a simple breakdown of what you can expect for a 1928-D Buffalo Nickel at different grades:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, major details visible | $1 – $2 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, most details clear | $4 – $8 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $20 – $40 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Slight wear, nearly full luster | $55 – $90 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear, some minor marks | $120 – $200 |
| Gem Mint State (MS-65) | Sharp strike, excellent luster | $400 – $600+ |
For a more detailed look at 1928-D Buffalo Nickel prices across all mint state grades, certified auction records can give you the most up-to-date picture of the market.
How to Identify Your 1928-D Buffalo Nickel
Identifying a genuine 1928-D is straightforward once you know what to look for. On the obverse (heads side), you’ll see a Native American portrait facing right, with the date “1928” just below the neck. On the reverse (tails side), a large bison stands on a mound, with “FIVE CENTS” beneath it and the small “D” mintmark directly below that text.
One common issue with Buffalo Nickels is that the date wore off easily. If the date on your coin is faint or missing, it may still have value as a dateless Buffalo Nickel — typically worth around 25 to 50 cents — but it won’t qualify as a 1928-D specifically.
Also check for any signs of cleaning. Coins that have been polished or dipped in chemicals lose collector appeal and value. A cleaned coin will often look unnaturally shiny or show fine hairline scratches under a magnifying glass. Natural, original surfaces are always preferred by serious collectors.
CoinKnow is a great tool for identifying coins like this one — just snap a photo and let the app analyze the date, mintmark, and condition in seconds. It’s especially helpful when the details are a bit worn and hard to read with the naked eye.
What Affects the 1928-D Buffalo Nickel’s Value Most
Beyond grade, a few other factors can move the needle on value significantly. Strike quality matters a lot with Buffalo Nickels — some coins from the Denver Mint came out of the press with soft or incomplete strikes, especially on the horn of the bison. A coin with a full, sharp horn can be worth a meaningful premium over one with a flat or incomplete horn.
Luster is another major factor for uncirculated coins. Original mint luster gives the coin a flowing, almost silky appearance, and any disturbance to that luster reduces value. Eye appeal — how attractive the coin looks overall — is also something collectors and graders take into account.
If you want a comprehensive breakdown of all 1928 Buffalo Nickel values including the Philadelphia and San Francisco mint versions, comparing all three mintmarks side by side can help you understand how your Denver coin stacks up.
CoinKnow can also help you track current market prices, compare your coin’s condition to reference images, and decide whether it’s worth getting professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC.
Should You Get Your 1928-D Graded?
Professional grading makes sense if your coin appears to be in About Uncirculated or better condition. Grading fees typically start around $20 to $30 per coin, so you want the potential upside to justify the cost. If your 1928-D looks like it grades AU-55 or higher, submitting it to PCGS or NGC could significantly increase its resale value and buyer confidence.
For coins in circulated grades (Good through Very Fine), the value usually doesn’t warrant grading fees. In those cases, selling raw to a local coin dealer or on an online marketplace is a perfectly fine option. Using CoinKnow before you sell is a smart move — it gives you a ballpark estimate so you don’t walk away from a sale leaving money on the table.
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FAQ
Q: How much is a 1928-D Buffalo Nickel worth in average circulated condition?
A: In typical circulated grades (Good to Very Fine), a 1928-D Buffalo Nickel is worth roughly $1 to $15. Coins in Fine condition tend to fall around $4 to $8, which is a reasonable expectation for most coins found in old jars or coin rolls.
Q: Is the 1928-D Buffalo Nickel rare?
A: It’s not considered a key date or major rarity, but it’s a collectible coin with solid demand. With just over 6.4 million minted, it’s more common than some dates in the Buffalo Nickel series but still worth more than face value in most conditions.
Q: Where is the mintmark on a 1928-D Buffalo Nickel?
A: The “D” mintmark is located on the reverse of the coin, directly below the text “FIVE CENTS.” It’s a small letter and can be hard to see on worn coins, so a magnifying glass or a coin app like CoinKnow can help you confirm it.
