The 1923-S Buffalo nickel is a fairly scarce issue, with a mintage of about 6.1 million. Circulated pieces are tough and, as is the case for many of the 1920s S-mint Buffalo nickels, proves quite rare in Gem grades. Strike can be problematic for this issue and is in part why so few achieve a grade of MS65 or better. In fact, PCGS has graded only 3 in MS66 and certified just 10 at that same level.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 6,142,000 |
| ngc-id | 22RW |
| 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 | 3950 |
| pcgs-number | 3950 |
| 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 |