The 1925-S Buffalo nickel is a relatively tough coin in circulated grades and is quite scarce in uncirculated and especially Gem levels. With its mintage of 6,256,000, the 1925-S nickel is a better-date coin by every definition, and serves as a conditional key date. Unfortunately, many examples exhibit softer strike, making it difficult to find exceptional pieces, even for those who do have the money to lay out on a Gem specimen. A few dozen are known in Gem grades, and just a tiny handful in MS66.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 6,256,000 |
| ngc-id | 22S4 |
| 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 | 3956 |
| pcgs-number | 3956 |
| 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 |