1938-D 5C Buffalo MS66 Certification #60184762, PCGS #3984

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

My Father and I went to Joel D. Rattew's (Sr.) office in 1980 and purchased this "Gem BU" piece for $75.00 for my 16th birthday. It was my first uncirculated type coin. I sent it in to PCGS more than 25 years later for certification, the coin is of course extremely common but has great sentimental value to me.

Expert Comments

David Hall

The 1938-D is the most common Buffalo nickel in mint state and Gem condition by several multiples. Interestingly, this issue is somewhat scarce in circulated condition. Apparently many were saved as this was the last year of issue for the Buffalo nickel series and in the same year the Jefferson nickel began. So collectors of the day would have been very aware that this was the last year of issue and large quantities of original uncirculated rolls were saved. The strike is usually super sharp and luster can be extremely frosty. There are many spectacular Gem survivors of this issue and it is generally the "prettiest" of all Buffalo nickels.

PCGS #

3984

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

7020000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

3544

Pop Lower

30610

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	150000	R-1.9	69 / 69	72 / 72
All Grades	100000	R-2.0	68 / 69	71 / 72
60 or Better	80000	R-2.2	67 / 69	70 / 72

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	150000
All Grades	100000
60 or Better	80000

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-1.9
All Grades	R-2.0
60 or Better	R-2.2

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	69 / 69
All Grades	68 / 69
60 or Better	67 / 69

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	72 / 72
All Grades	71 / 72
60 or Better	70 / 72

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS68+ PCGS grade
2	MS68 PCGS grade
2	MS68 PCGS grade
2	MS68 PCGS grade
2	MS68 PCGS grade

#1 MS68+ PCGS grade

#2 MS68 PCGS grade