There are few Buffalo nickels more common than the 1936 Philadelphia-minted issue. Nearly 119 million were struck, tens of thousands still exist, and perhaps 6,000 or even more are known in the grade of MS65 or better. These pieces are characterized by strong strikes and good color, and are often the go-to Buffalo nickel of choice for type collectors seeking an uncirculated Type 2 example of the series. There are a handful of specimens certified by PCGS and NGC known as high as MS68.
| coinage-type | Buffalo nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James Earle Fraser |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 118,997,000 |
| ngc-id | 22SS |
| 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 | 3977 |
| pcgs-number | 3977 |
| 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 |