The 1930-S Buffalo nickel probably best represents the last of the scarce S-mint Buffalo nickels in the Gem grades. Though not nearly as challenging or expensive in uncirculated grades as its S-mint predecessors it is nevertheless much tougher than the later S-mint representatives from the series. Numismatic experts believe about 1,000 exist in MS65 or better, though presently less than a dozen combined specimens in MS67 or better as graded by PCGS and NGC.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 5,435,000 |
| ngc-id | 22SJ |
| 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 | 3970 |
| pcgs-number | 3970 |
| 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 |