Buffalo Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1913-1938)

Number of
Required Items
72
Current Finest
Possible Set Rating
68.619
There is something about Buffalo nickels that attracts collectors. Some collectors remember when every once in a while one would show up in their change, or a time when they did grandpa a favor and the reward was a beautiful old nickel. Perhaps it reminds us of a time when the West was still new. Whatever the reasons, many people collect Buffalo nickels and some have managed to build truly phenomenal sets. The challenge in the Basic set consists of most of the "S" mints struck between 1915 and 1928. In particular, the 1926 is a very tough coin in high grade. Strike is a problem on many of these, and getting a sharp and lustrous top grade example is very difficult. In the proof issues, we are dealing with low mintage coins, and that means there's a challenge in the air for even the most well-heeled collector. Mintages range from 600 for the key 1916 to 5,769 for the final issued of 1937. Though there are some tough coins, this series is now and forever a favorite of collectors.

Notes: This set has bonuses. Please see the Set Composition for a listing.

All-Time Finest (All Eras)

Rank Set Name % Complete GPA Weighted GPA with Top
Pop Bonuses
Set Rating User
1 JDG Trust Collection Gold Award Winner ×3 (2023, 2024, 2025) 100.00% 67.18 68.06 68.06
2 FORSYTHEG Best of the Registry ×4 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) 100.00% 67.12 R 67.91 67.91
3 D. L. Hansen Buffalo Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1913-1938) 2018 Best of the Registry 100.00% 66.74 R 66.93 66.93
DLH
4 KCV Herd Cir/Proof Best of the Registry ×6 (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) 100.00% 66.18 66.19 66.19
5 William E. Corum 100.00% 66.01 66.01 66.01

View Entire All-Time Finest List ›

Current Finest

Rank Set Name % Complete GPA Weighted GPA with Top
Pop Bonuses
Set Rating User
1 JDG Trust Collection Gold Award Winner ×3 (2023, 2024, 2025) 100.00% 67.18 68.06 68.06
2 KCV Herd Cir/Proof Best of the Registry ×6 (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) 100.00% 66.18 66.19 66.19
3 William E. Corum 100.00% 66.01 66.01 66.01
4 Bucks Buffs 100.00% 65.73 65.73 65.73
5 Wineman 100.00% 64.31 64.31 64.31
6 lostmountainman 100.00% 61.18 61.18 61.18
7 A Brown’s Black Diamonds of Mine CIRC+PROOF UPDATED 88.89% 64.59 64.63 55.32
8 Chris Heeren Collection 93.06% 62.85 62.85 54.60
9 Buffalo Hunter 94.44% 58.51 58.51 52.07
10 Tim’s Buffalo Nickel Circ Set w/ proofs 88.89% 63.45 63.45 49.74
11 dgooch 87.50% 63.22 63.22 47.15
12 A2Buffalos 90.28% 56.11 56.11 45.41
13 RickyRacer 88.89% 54.37 54.37 42.62
14 Gosnell Collection UPDATED 66.67% 65.62 65.62 39.76
15 harold 84.72% 45.22 45.22 33.72
16 BuffaloBrothersCoin 77.78% 44.97 44.97 31.82
17 alr007 66.67% 55.35 55.35 30.25
18 sby999 59.72% 59.56 59.56 23.47
19 Bryan's Set 52.78% 50.71 50.71 20.20
20 Eagleguy17 23.61% 65.40 65.40 17.46

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