1927 Nickel Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1927 Nickel value ranges from $0.05 face value to $125,350. That record sale was a Grade 66 example sold through Bowers and Merena in April 2008. Want to know what yours is worth? Upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range, then scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what 1927 Nickels are actually selling for today.

 

1927 Nickel Value By Variety

Here’s a quick breakdown of all three 1927 Buffalo Nickel varieties — No Mint Mark, D, and S — across four common grades. For full grade-by-grade pricing, keep scrolling to the Value Guides section.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1927 Nickel Worth Money

The 1927-S in MS-66 sits at the very top — $125,350 at Bowers & Merena in April 2008. That’s nearly three times the runner-up. Nothing else from this date comes close.

The 1927-D in MS-66 grabbed $46,000, and the 1927-S in MS-65 hit $25,850. One grade point is the difference between a nice coin and a five-figure coin. The error list is impressive too. A 1927-D 3½ Leg FS-901 brought $7,475 at just MS-62 — beating out normal coins graded several points higher.

 

1927 Nickel Value History and Background

By 1927, the Buffalo Nickel had been circulating for fourteen years. James Earle Fraser’s design was well-worn in more ways than one — both the coins themselves and the dies used to strike them were showing their age.

The 1920s economy was humming along. Most people preferred half-dollars and dollar coins for everyday spending, so demand for nickels stayed relatively low. That directly affected how many 1927 nickels each mint facility produced.

Here’s the thing most collectors figure out eventually: 1927 sits right at a dividing line in the series. Almost every semi-key and key date falls before it. After 1927, most regular issues are considered common. That makes the 1927-D and 1927-S the last real challenges before the series gets easy to complete.

The branch mint coins — D and S — show up far less often than the Philadelphia strikes. Condition drives everything across all three varieties.

One detail I find fascinating: the Philadelphia Mint experimented with chromium-plated dies in 1927. According to the 1928 Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, they installed a chromium plating plant to test die durability. A tiny number of Buffalo Nickels came off these experimental dies with a distinctive satin-like finish — nothing like a normal business strike.

Researcher Walter Breen confirmed that the reverse die used was a leftover from the original Matte Proof strikings made between 1913 and 1916. Dealer Jim Halperin picked up examples at the January 1989 FUN Show. Only about five are believed to exist today, and one graded SP65 by NGC sold for $47,150 in 2009. Same date most collectors treat as ordinary pocket change — but these are extraordinary rarities.

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

 

Is Your 1927 Nickel Rare?

Not every 1927 Buffalo Nickel is equal — some are shockingly hard to find in top grades. Check your coin’s rarity in seconds with the Coin Identifier and Value App.

 

Key Features of the 1927 Nickel

James Earle Fraser packed a lot into this little five-cent piece. A proud Native American portrait on one side, an iconic American bison on the other. Every detail matters when you’re grading or cherrypicking.

The Obverse of the 1927 Nickel

The obverse shows a composite Native American chief facing right. “LIBERTY” sits in the upper-right field, and the date “1927” appears on the portrait’s shoulder.

Fraser blended features from three real chiefs — Iron Tail (Sioux), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca). This isn’t one person. It represents an entire people. Look below the date on well-preserved examples and you’ll spot Fraser’s initial “F.”

On sharply struck coins, the hair braid, feather detail, and cheekbones look remarkably realistic. Those same features — especially the hair braid — are the first to go soft on 1927-D and 1927-S coins. Worn, over-polished dies are the culprit.

The Reverse Of The 1927 Nickel

Flip it over and you’ll see Black Diamond — a real bison that lived at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He stands on a flat ground line, which is the hallmark of the Type 2 design introduced mid-1913.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” run along the rim. “FIVE CENTS” is recessed below the ground line — a fix that kept the denomination from wearing off too fast. The mint mark, if present, sits directly below “FIVE CENTS.”

Other Features of the 1927 Nickel

The 1927 Buffalo Nickel measures 21.2 mm in diameter and 1.95 mm in thickness, with a weight of 5 grams. Its alloy — 75% copper and 25% nickel — gives the coin its distinctive silver-gray tone, and produces a melt value of approximately $0.07 at current metal prices.

All 1927 Buffalo Nickels use the Type 2 design, first introduced mid-year in 1913 to correct a critical flaw where the denomination wore away rapidly in circulation.

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

 

1927 Nickel Value Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia crushed it with nearly 38 million coins — dwarfing Denver’s 5.7 million and San Francisco’s 3.4 million combined.

But here’s where the numbers get counterintuitive. Despite that massive mintage, the No Mint Mark variety survives at only 0.0369%. That means fewer than 14,000 examples exist in collectible condition today. Think about that — out of 38 million coins, you could fit every surviving collector-grade piece in a single room.

The S-mint flips the script. Lowest original mintage, but the highest survival rate at 0.1458%. Collectors recognized the scarcity early and tucked them away. PCGS notes that among all Buffalo Nickels, only the 1920-S, 1925-S, and 1926-S are rarer than the 1927-S in Gem MS-65 condition. That puts this coin among the four rarest regular-strike San Francisco issues in the entire series.

Rarity isn’t just about how many were made. It’s about how few survived in the grades that matter.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1927 Nickel Value

You don’t need a professional appraiser for this. Check two things: the mint mark on the reverse and the sharpness of the buffalo’s horn and the Indian’s hair braid. Those details tell you the grade at a glance.

The Coin Identifier and Value App can assess your coin’s grade within a 2–3 number range and provide an instant value estimate based on current market data. It’s the fastest way to go from curiosity to a confident number — no experience needed.

 

1927 Nickel Value Guides

Mint mark is everything with 1927 Buffalo Nickels. The price gap between the three mints is enormous, and condition only widens it.

• 1927 No Mint Mark Nickel (Philadelphia) — the most common variety, with the widest range of affordable entry points
• 1927-D Nickel (Denver) — a scarcer mid-tier coin, known for weak strikes and limited high-grade survivors
• 1927-S Nickel (San Francisco) — the key date of the year, with values that can reach well into five figures

 

1927 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

Most collectors start here. The 1927 Philadelphia Nickel carries no mint mark and had the highest production run of the three facilities that year.

The good news? Philadelphia strikes from 1927 are generally well-made. PCGS CoinFacts describes the strike as “usually quite sharp,” with frosty, attractive luster. That’s a big contrast to the mushy Denver and San Francisco coins from the same year. If you’re building a type set on a budget, this is your entry point.

At MS-65, Heritage Auctions records show PCGS had certified 600 examples with 263 graded higher, while NGC showed 259 at MS-65 with 77 above. That’s a reasonable pool of gems to chase without the scarcity premium of the S-mint. The auction record stands at $24,000 for an MS-67+ example sold at Stack’s Bowers in August 2019.

The auction record below shows just how far that value can climb at the highest grades.

Beyond the top-tier sales, the broader market for this variety reveals consistent demand.

 

1927-D Nickel Value

Here’s a coin that tricks people. Circulated 1927-D nickels turn up regularly enough that you might think they’re common. Try finding one with sharp detail and original luster. That’s a completely different hunt.

Worn dies are the problem. Denver ran these dies hard, and the result is that the 1927-D is a textbook conditional rarity — one of the rarest Buffalo Nickels at MS-65 and above. Each grade point above that pushes the price dramatically higher.

Uncirculated coins grading MS-60 to MS-64 can fetch $350 to $1,250. Above MS-65, you’re looking at $25,000 to $46,000 at auction. GreatCollections has reported 1927-D examples selling from as little as $9 in worn grades to as high as $18,675 in top MS grades — that spread tells you everything about how condition governs this coin.

The auction record below captures the full ceiling of what this Denver coin can achieve in top condition.

Market activity tells an equally revealing story about where collector demand is strongest today.

 

1927-S Nickel Value

$125,350 for a nickel. That’s what a 1927-S in MS-66 brought at Bowers & Merena in April 2008, and the record still stands nearly two decades later. With a mintage of just 3.43 million — lowest of the three mints that year — this is the undisputed star of the 1927 series.

In Gem MS-65, the 1927-S ranks among the top four scarcest regular-strike San Francisco Buffalo Nickels ever made. PCGS CoinFacts confirms only the 1920-S, 1925-S, and 1926-S are rarer at that grade. That’s elite company.

Strike quality is another challenge. PCGS describes the luster on 1927-S examples as more brilliant than frosty — a subdued glow rather than cartwheel brightness. Most survivors show soft details. A sharply struck example with full bison horn? That’s a genuinely exceptional find, and the market rewards it accordingly.

The auction record below captures the highest prices this coin has achieved at the top of the grading spectrum.

Collector demand for the 1927-S has reached a notable peak in November 2025, as reflected in the market activity data below.

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

 

Rare 1927 Nickel Error List

The mint mark isn’t the only thing that makes a 1927 Buffalo Nickel valuable. The mistakes matter too. Some of the most documented varieties in the entire series come from this year.

Most of these errors share the same origin: die polishing gone wrong. When mint workers polished dies to remove clash marks — impressions left when two dies smacked together without a planchet between them — they sometimes ground away too much metal and permanently altered the design. Here’s what to look for.

1. 1927-D 2 Feathers FS-401

Count the feathers in the chief’s headdress. A normal Buffalo Nickel has three. This Denver variety only has two. The innermost feather was polished right off the die during clash mark removal.

On heavily worn examples, the error can be subtle. Grab a 10x loupe and angle your light across the hair braid area. Three distinct feathers means normal. Two means you’ve got the variety. It’s that straightforward.

The auction record stands at $400 for an XF-40 example sold at Heritage Auctions in February 2017. Variety specialists actively chase circulated examples with clear feather definition, and they consistently trade above standard 1927-D prices.

2. 1927-S 2 Feathers FS-401

Same missing feather, different mint — and a much higher price ceiling. The San Francisco version sits on top of an already scarce base coin with only 3.4 million struck.

Here’s the irony: the frequent die polishing that caused weak strikes on so many 1927-S nickels is the same process that created this error in the first place. The cause of the problem and the character of the coin are directly connected.

The auction record reached $2,280 for an MS-63 example at Heritage Auctions in February 2021 — nearly six times the 1927-D result in comparable grade. Very few exist in Gem condition. We’re probably looking at fewer than 50 examples in MS-65 or better.

3. 1927-D 3½ Leg FS-901

This is the one that makes people do a double-take. The buffalo appears to be missing part of its front right leg. Not from circulation wear — from the die itself.

Denver Mint workers over-polished the die to remove clash marks and accidentally ground away part of the leg detail. The key authentication marker? Look for a “ragged stream” of die erosion lines running from the buffalo’s belly toward the ground. That’s what separates a genuine piece from an altered coin. No erosion lines, no sale.

PCGS has certified examples up to MS-62 — finding this variety in pristine condition is genuinely tough. Circulated examples trade from $80 to $660, AU-grade coins reach $700 to $1,200, and the auction record stands at $7,475 for an MS-62 example sold at Heritage Auctions in February 2012.

4. 1927-S DDO FS-401

This is a completely different kind of error from the polishing varieties above. A Doubled Die Obverse happens during die-making when the hub stamps the design onto the working die with multiple misaligned impressions. On the 1927-S, look for doubling on the date, the word LIBERTY, and the chief’s facial features.

Don’t confuse this with mechanical doubling. Genuine DDO doubling looks rounded and raised. Mechanical doubling looks flat and shelf-like with sharp edges. Only the rounded, three-dimensional type adds value.

Error coins have sold for up to $840 at auction. NGC has noted these minor varieties “attract little interest” compared to the more dramatic polishing errors, so demand is more specialized. Still, circulated examples with clear doubling under magnification pull steady premiums.

5. 1927-D/D RPM FS-501

Before automation, mint workers punched each mint mark into the die by hand. When the punch shifted or landed twice without perfect alignment, you got a Repunched Mint Mark. On the 1927-D/D, the “D” was stamped twice in slightly different positions, creating a doubled or shadowed impression below “FIVE CENTS.”

To spot it, use a 10x loupe with angled lighting. Look for a secondary “D” offset slightly from the primary mark — north, south, or to either side. Try different lighting angles. RPMs can hide under direct light.

These typically average around $200 on the current market. The auction record shows a 1927-D/D graded XF-40 selling for $335 in 2021. Sharply struck examples with dramatic repunching consistently beat estimates at auction.

 

Where to Sell Your 1927 Nickel

A 1927 Nickel in strong condition deserves the right marketplace — not just any quick sale. Choosing the best selling channel can mean the difference between pocket change and a surprisingly strong return.

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

 

1927 Nickel Value Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About the 1927 Nickel Value

1. How do I find the mint mark on my 1927 Buffalo Nickel?

Flip the coin to the reverse and look directly below “FIVE CENTS.” A “D” means Denver, “S” means San Francisco, and a blank space means Philadelphia. That’s your first step in figuring out what your 1927 Nickel is worth.

2. Does cleaning a 1927 Nickel increase its value?

No — it destroys it. Chemical dips, abrasive polishing, household solutions — all of them permanently damage the original surface and luster. PCGS and NGC will flag cleaned coins as “Details” instead of giving a numerical grade, which tanks the market value.

3. What parts of the coin show wear first?

The buffalo’s horn on the reverse and the chief’s cheekbone on the obverse go first. Also check the bison’s shoulder and hip, the hair and feather lines, and the sharpness of lettering and rim. Together, these tell you the full condition story.

4. What does “Full Horn” mean on a Buffalo Nickel, and why does it matter for 1927 Nickel value?

“Full Horn” means the bison’s horn shows complete definition from base to tip with no flatness. It’s not an official PCGS or NGC designation, but it matters a lot for the 1927-D and 1927-S — both notorious for weak strikes. A Full Horn specimen on either branch mint coin can command a 20–100% premium over a typical example at the same numerical grade.

5. How rare is the 1927-S in Mint State condition?

Very. According to PCGS CoinFacts, only the 1920-S, 1925-S, and 1926-S are rarer at Gem MS-65. Fewer than 50 examples are estimated to exist in MS-65 or better, which is why gem pieces regularly hit five figures at auction.

6. Are there 1927 Buffalo Nickels worth more than $100,000?

Yes — but only the rarest examples. The 1927-S in MS-66 sold for $125,350 at Bowers & Merena in April 2008, still the all-time record for the date. The ultra-rare 1927 Special Strike coins (struck from experimental chromium-plated dies) are valued by PCGS at $65,000–$87,500 depending on grade, with one selling for $47,150 in 2009.

7. Should I get my 1927-D or 1927-S professionally graded by PCGS or NGC?

If your coin is Extremely Fine (EF-40) or better, absolutely. For the 3½ Leg, 2 Feathers, and DDO varieties, third-party authentication is essentially mandatory — fakes and altered coins exist for all of them. For standard circulated 1927-P coins, grading fees may exceed the coin’s value unless it looks exceptional.

8. What is the difference between a genuine Doubled Die Obverse and mechanical doubling on a 1927 Nickel?

Genuine DDO doubling looks rounded and raised on features like the date and LIBERTY — it’s created during die production from misaligned hub impressions. Mechanical doubling looks flat and shelf-like with sharp edges. Always check under a 10x loupe. Only the rounded, three-dimensional type is the real thing.

9. How does the 1927-D 3½ Leg error compare to the famous 1937-D 3-Leg error?

Both came from over-polished dies at Denver and both are cataloged as FS-901. The 1937-D 3-Leg is more famous and generally pricier — $600 to over $35,000 depending on grade. The 1927-D 3½ Leg is subtler (the leg is partially present rather than fully missing) and commands $80 to $7,475, with fewer certified examples at the MS-62 level by PCGS.

10. What was the 1927 Buffalo Nickel worth when it was new, and how does that compare to today?

Five cents. That’s it. Today, even the most beat-up No Mint Mark example pulls $2–$3, a 40–60x increase in nominal terms. A gem 1927-S in MS-66 has appreciated to $125,350 — roughly 2.5 million times its original face value in under a century. That’s one of the most dramatic long-term value jumps in any U.S. coin series.