With the exception of varieties, the 1926-S Buffalo nickel is the key date for the series. With a tiny mintage of only 970,000 pieces, the 1926-S nickel proves an extraordinary challenge in all grades, and most especially so above the mid-circulated threshold. Uncirculated specimens at any level are especially rare, and only a couple dozen or so are known in the MS65 range. <BR><BR> The 1926-S Buffalo nickel being so scarce, it is imperative that dealers and collectors take special precautions when handling raw examples. Counterfeits are a concern with any issue, and certainly this is true when discussing rare coins such as this one, which many consider one of the most significant rarities of the 20th century.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 970,000 |
| ngc-id | 22S7 |
| 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 | 3959 |
| pcgs-number | 3959 |
| 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 |