The 1921-S is one of the rarest Buffalo nickels in circulated grades and is scarce in uncirculated grades. This stems in large part from the coins very small mintage of only 1,557,000 pieces, of which perhaps fewer than 10,000 were saved. Interestingly, while the coin is very difficult in the worn grades, its not exceptionally hard to find in uncirculated grades. Strike is generally good, though some examples offer decidedly more detail than others. Overall, the 1921-S Buffalo nickel ranks as a true semi-key issue for the series.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 1,557,000 |
| ngc-id | 22RU |
| obverse-description | James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust. |
| pcgs-link | 3948 |
| pcgs-number | 3948 |
| reverse-description | A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface. |
| weight-grams | 5 |
| year-display | 1913-1938 |