1919 Nickel Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

Designed by James Earle Fraser, the 1919 Buffalo Nickel features a Native American profile on the obverse and a bison on the reverse — a series that ran from 1913 to 1938 and remains a firm favorite among collectors.

Struck across three mints — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — each 1919 issue carries its own rarity profile and market premium.

A circulated example might trade for as little as $5, while a top-grade 1919-S or 1919-D can command anywhere from $2,668 to $3,582. Demand for high-grade specimens has only grown, yet genuine Gem examples remain exceptionally scarce.

To understand what drives that range, here is a complete breakdown of 1919 Nickel Value.

 

1919 Nickel Value By Variety

The 1919 Buffalo Nickel was struck at three mints — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — each producing coins with distinct rarity and value. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1919 Nickel Worth Money

The 1919-S dominates the upper end of the market — its MS-66 example reaching $109,250, more than double the $49,200 realized at MS-65 — a steep exponential curve that reflects just how scarce well-struck San Francisco specimens become at the Gem level and above.

Philadelphia and Denver issues follow at a distance, with their MS-66 and MS-67 examples clustering around $19,975, suggesting broadly comparable demand once S-Mint coins are set aside.

What the chart also reveals is a meaningful floor at the MS-64 level: the 1919-D 64 at $3,683, the 1919-S 64 at $4,935, and even the scarce 2 Feathers FS-401 variety at $5,581 all sit in a relatively compressed range.

The real premium begins at MS-65 and accelerates sharply at MS-66 — a pattern consistent with the broader Buffalo Nickel market, where condition rarity, not mintage alone, drives value.

 

History of the 1919 Nickel

The 1919 Buffalo Nickel sits in an important middle chapter of the series. By that point, the design had been in production for six years — long enough for the Mint to understand its structural weaknesses, but still too early in the series’ life for anyone to be preserving coins with collectors in mind.

Buffalo nickel dies wore out quickly, and even design modifications made in 1913 and 1916 were not enough to meaningfully prolong their working life. The result was that many 1919 nickels left the press already compromised — coins struck from tired dies, showing soft detail from the moment they entered circulation.

The three mint issues of 1919 each carry a distinct legacy. The Philadelphia issue is generally well struck with satiny luster, comparable in rarity to other early Philadelphia Buffalos from 1913 to 1917. The Denver and San Francisco issues tell a harder story.

What makes the 1919 nickel historically significant is precisely this uneven survival. These coins were not saved — they were spent, worn down, and lost to time, which is why condition drives value so dramatically across all three varieties today.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Nickels Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Is Your 1919 Nickel Rare?

Most 1919 Buffalo Nickels are common enough to buy for a few dollars — but the S-mint issues in high grade are among the most condition-rare coins in the entire Buffalo Nickel series. To find out exactly where yours falls, check the CoinValueChecker App for an instant assessment.

 

Key Features of the 1919 Nickel

Every detail on the 1919 Buffalo Nickel — from the composite portrait on the obverse to the plain edge — carries both design intent and direct implications for grading and value.

The Obverse of the 1919 Nickel

A right-facing composite portrait of a Native American chief occupies most of the obverse — Fraser’s amalgamation of three real individuals. The chief wears three feathers woven into his hair and a braid running down the side of his head.

LIBERTY appears near the upper-right rim, while the date is struck on the raised area of the neck truncation, with Fraser’s initial “F” incused just below.

That positioning is not merely aesthetic — because the date sits on a high-relief zone, it is among the first details to vanish with circulation wear, making a sharp, fully readable “1919” a meaningful quality indicator in its own right.

The Reverse of the 1919 Nickel

A full side view of a left-facing bison dominates the reverse, standing on a slightly raised mound.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs above, while E PLURIBUS UNUM is crowded into the narrow space between the legend and the animal’s back, each word on its own line. FIVE CENTS is inscribed on the mound below.

The mint mark — D for Denver, S for San Francisco — appears on the reverse directly beneath the denomination. Philadelphia issues carry no mint mark.

Other Features of the 1919 Nickel

The edge is plain and smooth, with no reeding — a consistent feature across the entire Buffalo Nickel series.

The coin is struck in an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, measures 21.2 mm in diameter, and weighs 5 grams. Notably, “IN GOD WE TRUST” does not appear on the coin.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money List (1938-Present)

 

1919 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia struck nearly eight times as many coins as San Francisco in 1919 — yet when measured against actual survivors today, that numerical advantage largely disappears.

The Philadelphia issue’s survival rate sits below 0.02%, lower in relative terms than either Denver or San Francisco, a counterintuitive result driven by the sheer volume of Philadelphia coins that entered heavy daily circulation and were never set aside.

The branch-mint issues, struck in far smaller quantities to begin with, survive at roughly three times the rate — not because they were better preserved, but because fewer existed to be lost.

All three 1919 issues are genuinely rare in absolute terms — combined survivors across all three mints number in the low tens of thousands — yet the branch-mint coins carry the stronger collector premium because their lower original output translates directly into thinner competition for high-grade examples.

The 1919-D and 1919-S, each with an estimated 5,000 survivors, represent some of the most tightly supplied issues of the entire Buffalo Nickel series in circulated grades.

With so few examples surviving in any grade, a 1919-S or 1919-D in Mint State occupies an exceptionally narrow band of supply against sustained collector demand — a structural dynamic that has historically supported price appreciation across the broader early Buffalo Nickel series, and shows no sign of reversing.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1919 Nickel Value

Grade is where the real separation happens. On a 1919-S or 1919-D, the difference between MS-63 and MS-65 can translate to thousands of dollars — and a well-struck example with a full horn commands a premium that surface wear grading alone won’t reflect.

For a fast, accurate starting point, the CoinValueChecker App cross-references mint mark, grade, and current market data to give you a reliable value range instantly.

 

1919 Nickel Value Guides

• 1919 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1919-D (Denver)
• 1919-S (San Francisco)

The 1919 Buffalo Nickel was struck at all three operating U.S. mints, and each variety carries a distinct collector profile. Philadelphia dominates in mintage but trails in survival rate. Denver and San Francisco issued far fewer coins, and both are considerably scarcer in high grades — with the 1919-S regarded as a condition rarity at the Gem level, where only a handful of certified examples are known to exist.

 

1919 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

Among the three 1919 issues, the Philadelphia coin occupies a distinct position: it is the most accessible entry point into the date, yet far from common in any meaningful sense.

According to PCGS CoinFacts, the 1919 Philadelphia issue is usually well struck, with luster that tends toward satiny rather than frosty — a surface character that sets it apart from the harder, more granular texture typical of branch-mint production in this era.

It sits in comparable rarity to other Philadelphia Mint Buffalos from 1913 to 1917 in Mint State and Gem condition, with the 1918 and 1920–1924 issues actually considered rarer — making 1919 something of a relative sweet spot for collectors building a date run.

The first wear point to watch is the cheek just below the eye on the obverse and the bison’s hip on the reverse; a coin that retains sharpness at both is already a cut above the majority of survivors. At the top of the market, an MS67+ example brought $19,975 at Stack’s Bowers in November 2016.

Here is a look at how top-grade Philadelphia examples have performed at major auction houses.

Below is a breakdown of how the Philadelphia issue has traded across grades over the past year.

 

1919-D Nickel Value

Where the Philadelphia issue rewards collectors with relative accessibility, the Denver coin does the opposite.

In Gem condition, the 1919-D is the rarest Denver Mint Buffalo Nickel of the entire 1913–1919 era — a ranking that tends to surprise collectors who assume mintage figures tell the full story.

Luster on surviving Mint State examples typically falls between satiny and frosty, and unlike the chronically weak S-Mint issues that dominate the series’ condition rarity conversation, most 1919-D Mint State survivors are found with decent strikes — meaning when a sharp example does appear, it tends to be genuinely attractive rather than technically graded but visually disappointing.

That combination of true rarity and presentable surfaces is precisely what drove an MS66+ to $19,975 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in December 2016.

The following records trace what collectors have actually paid for the finest known Denver examples over the past two decades.

This chart reflects recent market behavior for the Denver issue, where condition drives price more sharply than mintage alone would suggest.

 

1919-S Nickel Value

The 1919-S operates in a different league. This is not a coin that is merely scarce — it is one where the obstacles to finding a satisfactory example compound at every grade level.

The San Francisco Mint’s die quality during this period was poor — coins were struck with worn dies and insufficient pressure, producing results that looked soft even fresh from the press. On a 1919-S, the horn is the telling detail: a full, crisp horn tip is the single clearest indicator of a well-struck coin, and most examples simply do not have one.

The PCGS population data makes the supply picture concrete: only 41 examples certified at MS65, 7 at MS65+, and just 4 at MS66 — with none recorded above that.

Price guide values climb steeply in lockstep: $12,000 at MS65, $40,000 at MS65+, $90,000 at MS66, and $115,000 at MS66+.

One such example, graded MS66, realized $109,250 at Heritage Auctions in October 2006 — a figure that has anchored the market’s understanding of this issue ever since.

Few Buffalo Nickel auction histories are as concentrated at the top as this one — here is what the realized prices reveal.

Given how few certified Gem examples exist, even modest shifts in demand register visibly in the data — here is what the past year’s activity looks like.

Also Read: 22 Rare Nickel Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1919 Nickel Error List

While the 1919 Buffalo Nickel is not known for dramatic die varieties, a handful of production errors surface often enough to warrant serious collector attention.

1. 1919 DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse)

The 1919 DDO FS-101 is the most significant die variety in the entire 1919 issue. A Doubled Die Obverse occurs during the die-making process when the hub makes multiple misaligned impressions onto the working die, producing a doubled image that appears on every coin struck from that die.

On the 1919 FS-101, the doubling is concentrated on the date and the LIBERTY inscription — the diagnostic areas any serious cherrypicker should examine first under magnification.

The critical distinction to understand is that genuine hub doubling shows raised, rounded secondary elements, whereas the far more common mechanical doubling produces a flat, shelf-like shadow that carries no premium. Greysheet prices the 1919 DDO FS-101 in the $10,000–$12,000 range, placing it firmly in the territory of coins that warrant professional certification before any transaction.

Given that the base Philadelphia issue is relatively plentiful, the DDO commands a premium driven entirely by its die variety status — not by scarcity of the date itself.

2. 1919 Two Feathers FS-401

The Two Feathers error is one of the more visually accessible errors in the Buffalo Nickel series — once you know what to look for.

The error is the result of overzealous die polishing in the area of the third, innermost feather in the Native American chief’s headdress, between the back of the neck and the longest feather. When Mint employees over-polished the die in that zone, the third feather was partially or entirely erased, leaving only two feathers visible.

The most sought-after examples are those showing no trace of the missing feather whatsoever; coins where a small remnant remains are still collectible but occupy a lower tier within the error. The 1919 Two Feathers exists across all three mints.

PCGS currently recognizes 27 distinct Two Feathers varieties across the Buffalo Nickel series, all confined to the 1913–1930 production window. Values vary meaningfully by mint: the Philadelphia FS-401 auction record stands at $5,581 for an MS64 at Heritage Auctions in 2013, while the 1919-D and 1919-S Two Feathers examples are more modestly valued, with the 1919-D auction record at $432 for an XF40 and the 1919-S topping at $660 for a VF35, both realized at Heritage Auctions in 2019.

 

Where to Sell Your 1919 Nickel?

With your 1919 nickels’ value established, finding reliable online selling venues becomes the priority. I’ve created a comprehensive overview of trusted sites, highlighting their offerings, advantages, and potential drawbacks.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1919 Nickel Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 1919 Nickel

1. How do I know which mint struck my 1919 Buffalo Nickel?

Check the reverse side directly below the “FIVE CENTS” inscription. A “D” indicates Denver, an “S” indicates San Francisco, and no mint mark means Philadelphia — which did not use a mark until the 1940s.

2. My 1919 nickel has no visible date. Is it still worth anything?

A dateless Buffalo Nickel has minimal collector value — typically under $1 regardless of mint. The date wore away easily because it sits on a high-relief area of the design. Acid date-restoration treatments do exist but produce an altered coin that most serious collectors and dealers won’t touch at any meaningful premium.

3. What does “Full Horn” mean, and why does it matter on a 1919 nickel?

The buffalo’s horn is the highest-relief point on the reverse and the first detail to wear. A “Full Horn” means the horn is completely visible from tip to base with clear separation from the head. On branch-mint issues like the 1919-D and 1919-S, a full horn can multiply value several times over compared to a coin of the same technical grade with a weak or incomplete horn.

4. Is the 1919-S genuinely rare, or is it just expensive because collectors want it?

The scarcity is real. PCGS has certified only 4 examples at MS66, and none higher. The combination of low original output, poor die quality at the San Francisco Mint, and over a century of circulation means that well-preserved examples are structurally scarce — not just fashionable.

5. What is the difference between the 1919 DDO and ordinary mechanical doubling?

Genuine hub doubling — as seen on the FS-101 — produces raised, rounded secondary elements on the date and LIBERTY inscription, visible under magnification. Mechanical doubling, which is far more common and worth no premium, leaves a flat, shelf-like shadow alongside design elements. If the secondary image looks “smeared” rather than fully formed, it is almost certainly mechanical.

6. Should I clean my 1919 Buffalo Nickel before selling it?

Never. Cleaning removes original surface patina, destroys luster, and introduces hairlines that are immediately apparent under grading-service scrutiny. A cleaned coin is considered “impaired” by PCGS and NGC and will receive a details grade rather than a numeric one — significantly reducing its market value regardless of the underlying coin quality.

7. Is it worth submitting my 1919 nickel to PCGS or NGC for grading?

It depends on the coin. For heavily circulated Philadelphia examples worth under $50, the grading fee likely outweighs the benefit. However, any branch-mint coin in AU or better condition, any suspected Two Feathers or DDO variety, or any coin that appears to grade MS63 or above warrants professional certification — the authentication and grade guarantee directly supports resale value.

8. Why do the 1919-D and 1919-S command such high premiums over the Philadelphia issue at the same grade?

Two factors compound each other: lower original production and a much thinner survival pool in high grades. The Philadelphia issue had roughly seven to eight times the output of either branch mint, meaning far more coins entered circulation and were never set aside. The branch-mint issues also suffered from poorer strike quality, further narrowing the pool of high-grade survivors.

9. What is the Two Feathers variety, and how do I spot it on a 1919 nickel?

Look closely at the headdress on the obverse under magnification. A standard coin shows three feathers; the Two Feathers variety is missing the innermost feather — the short one tucked between the neck and the longest feather — due to over-polishing of the die. The most valuable examples show no remnant of the third feather at all. This variety exists on all three 1919 mint issues.

10. How does the 1919 nickel compare in importance to other years in the Buffalo Nickel series?

The 1919 Philadelphia issue is a mid-tier date — more accessible than the 1918 or 1920–1924 Philadelphia issues in high grades, but not a common date by any measure. The 1919-D is the rarest Denver issue of the entire 1913–1919 era in Gem condition. The 1919-S is one of the series’ premier condition rarities, ranking alongside the most difficult San Francisco issues from the 1918–1927 stretch — a period that defines the upper end of the Buffalo Nickel market.