1928-S Buffalo Nickel Value What This San Francisco Coin Is Really Worth
The 1928-S Buffalo Nickel is worth anywhere from $1.50 in heavily worn condition to well over $1,000 in gem mint state — and certain high-grade examples have sold for thousands at major auctions. If you just found one of these old nickels tucked away in a drawer or coin jar, you’re in the right place to find out exactly what it’s worth.
If you’re trying to identify whether your coin is genuinely a 1928-S, one of the easiest starting points is downloading a free coin identifier app on your phone. These tools let you snap a photo of your coin and get an instant read on its date, mint mark, and general condition — a great first step before diving into values.
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What Makes the 1928-S Buffalo Nickel Special
The 1928-S Buffalo Nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint, and that little “S” mint mark on the reverse — just below the words “FIVE CENTS” — is what sets it apart from Philadelphia and Denver issues of the same year. In 1928, San Francisco produced 6,936,000 Buffalo Nickels, which makes it a moderately scarce coin compared to some other dates in the series. It’s not the rarest Buffalo Nickel out there, but it’s not common either, especially in well-preserved condition.
The Buffalo Nickel series, officially called the Indian Head Nickel, ran from 1913 to 1938 and features a Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the design is considered one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history. Collectors love the series, and the San Francisco mint issues consistently carry a small premium because of their lower mintages compared to Philadelphia strikes. If your coin has clear details on the buffalo’s horn and the Native American’s hair braids, that’s a promising sign of better preservation.
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1928-S Buffalo Nickel Value by Grade
Coin value is almost entirely driven by condition, or “grade” in collector terms. A coin that’s been heavily circulated for decades looks very different from one that was saved early and kept in a collection. Here’s a breakdown of approximate 1928-S Buffalo Nickel values across the major grade levels:
| Grade | Description | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavily worn, date visible | $1.50 – $3 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | Main features clear, moderate wear | $3 – $6 |
| Fine (F-12) | Good detail, even wear | $8 – $15 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Light wear on high points | $18 – $35 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Slight wear, sharp details | $50 – $90 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Trace wear only, strong luster | $100 – $180 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor marks | $300 – $600 |
| Gem Mint State (MS-65) | Exceptional luster and strike | $1,000+ |
For a closer look at detailed mint state pricing and recent auction results for the 1928-S Buffalo Nickel, it’s worth checking current market data since collector demand can shift values over time. CoinKnow is also a fantastic resource if you want real-time coin valuations in your pocket wherever you go.
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How to Grade Your 1928-S Buffalo Nickel at Home
You don’t need to be a professional numismatist to get a general sense of your coin’s condition. Start by looking at the buffalo’s horn on the reverse — this is one of the first areas to wear down on a circulated coin. If the full horn is visible and distinct, your coin is likely in Fine to Very Fine condition or better. Next, check the date on the obverse. Buffalo Nickels are notorious for weak or worn dates because of the way the design was struck, and a fully readable date adds real value.
On the obverse, look at the Native American’s cheekbone and the braid details in the hair. In lower grades, these areas merge together and lose definition. In higher grades, you can see individual elements clearly. Hold the coin at an angle under good natural light — if you see original mint luster (a subtle cartwheel sheen), that’s a strong sign the coin saw little or no circulation and could grade AU or higher.
If you’re serious about value, consider getting the coin professionally graded by PCGS or NGC. A certified grade gives buyers confidence and can significantly increase what a dealer or collector is willing to pay.
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Where to Sell Your 1928-S Buffalo Nickel
Once you know what you have, you’ll want to decide where to sell it. For circulated examples in Good to Fine condition, online marketplaces like eBay can work well — just search completed sales for your exact coin to set realistic expectations. Local coin shops are another option, though dealers typically buy at 50–70% of retail value to leave room for profit.
For uncirculated or near-mint examples, auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers are worth considering, as serious collectors often bid competitively for high-grade Buffalo Nickels. You can also explore detailed 1928-S Buffalo Nickel value estimates broken down by grade and mint mark to make sure you’re pricing your coin fairly before listing it anywhere.
CoinKnow is another smart tool to have handy during this process — it helps you track what similar coins are actually selling for in today’s market, so you’re never flying blind when negotiating a sale.
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FAQ
Q: How do I know if my nickel is a 1928-S and not a 1928 or 1928-D?
A: Flip the coin over and look at the reverse just beneath the words “FIVE CENTS.” If you see a small “S,” it was struck in San Francisco. A “D” means Denver, and no mint mark at all means Philadelphia. You may need a magnifying glass since the mint mark can be faint on worn coins.
Q: Is a 1928-S Buffalo Nickel rare?
A: It’s moderately scarce rather than truly rare. About 6.9 million were minted, which sounds like a lot, but most were heavily circulated and worn down over decades. High-grade uncirculated examples are genuinely hard to find and command strong prices among collectors. CoinKnow can help you compare it against other Buffalo Nickel dates in terms of relative rarity.
Q: Should I clean my 1928-S Buffalo Nickel before selling it?
A: No — never clean an old coin. Even gentle cleaning leaves microscopic scratches that destroy the coin’s original surface and can drop its grade significantly. A cleaned coin is worth much less to collectors than an original, unaltered one, even if the original looks darker or duller. Leave it as-is and let the coin’s natural patina work in your favor.
