$400,000 Gold Buffalo
Imagine finding a Buffalo nickel in your collection…
Now imagine discovering it’s worth $400,000.
It sounds impossible — but one extraordinary 1913 Buffalo nickel stunned the coin world after selling for nearly half a million dollars.
And the reason why will surprise you.
🦬 The Coin That Was Never Supposed to Exist
The Buffalo nickel, officially known as the Buffalo nickel, was first released in 1913 by the United States Mint.
Designed by James Earle Fraser, the coin features:
- A Native American portrait on the obverse
- An American bison on the reverse
Standard specifications:
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 5 grams
But the $400,000 example was anything but standard.
💎 The $400,000 Mint Error Explained
This rare 1913 Buffalo nickel was reportedly struck on a $5 gold coin planchet.
That means:
- It was minted on a gold blank instead of a nickel blank.
- It appeared gold in color.
- It weighed over 8 grams instead of the normal 5 grams.
This is what collectors call a wrong planchet error — one of the most dramatic and valuable mint mistakes possible.
Because gold planchets were meant for $5 gold coins, not nickels.
That mismatch created a coin that:
- Should not exist
- Was never intended for circulation
- Became a once-in-a-generation collectible
When authenticated and offered at auction, it brought approximately $400,000.
⚠️ Why This Error Is So Valuable
High-end wrong planchet errors command extreme premiums because:
- 🔍 They are accidental and extremely rare
- 🏛 They involve cross-denomination minting
- 💰 Gold dramatically increases intrinsic value
- 🏆 Advanced collectors compete aggressively
In elite numismatics, rarity plus precious metal equals explosive prices.
🔎 How To Check Your Buffalo Nickels
Tons of people own Buffalo nickels. Here’s what to examine:
1️⃣ Check the Date
Look for 1913 (first year of issue).
2️⃣ Look at the Color
Does it appear gold instead of gray?
3️⃣ Weigh the Coin
- Normal weight: ~5.0 grams
- Gold planchet error: Over 8 grams
Use a precise digital gram scale.
4️⃣ Never Clean It
Cleaning destroys collector value immediately.
🏆 Authentication Is Critical
If you suspect something unusual, professional grading is mandatory.
Top services include:
- Professional Coin Grading Service
- Numismatic Guaranty Company
Without certification:
- Buyers will not pay premium prices.
- Claims of gold errors will be questioned.
With certification:
- Auction houses take you seriously.
- Competitive bidding begins.
💰 Where Coins Like This Sell
Major auction houses that handle six-figure rarities include:
- Heritage Auctions
- Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Elite collectors track these sales closely.
Competition is what drives six-figure hammer prices.
🧭 The Hidden Fortune Reminder
Most Buffalo nickels are worth modest premiums.
But a gold-struck 1913 error?
That’s a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
If you own Buffalo nickels:
- Weigh them.
- Check color.
- Examine carefully.
Because sometimes, a small difference in metal can mean a $400,000 surprise.
Leave a Reply