1915 Buffalo Nickel Errors, Varieties and Value

Three years into production, the Buffalo nickel was a familiar sight in American pocket change, and 1915 added a documented repunched mintmark to the growing list of recognized Denver-mint die varieties from the series’ first decade. GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place, compare available examples, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

Design and history

Every 1915 nickel carries James Earle Fraser’s Type 2 reverse, established the previous year in place of the original 1913 Type 1 design. The bison stands on a flatter, recessed ground with FIVE CENTS set into a shallow channel to resist wear. Specifications remain constant across the series: 75% copper and 25% nickel, 5.00 grams, 21.21mm in diameter, plain edge. Philadelphia struck coins with no mintmark; Denver and San Francisco pieces show a D or S beneath FIVE CENTS.

Errors and varieties to know

PCGS recognizes the 1915-D/D repunched mintmark (FS-501), where the D was punched into the working die more than once, leaving a secondary D in a fixed relationship to the primary mintmark. A genuine RPM must match the documented die exactly — a mintmark that looks doubled or smeared from a die-filling issue, corrosion, or a hit does not qualify.

Two Feathers dies are also recognized for Philadelphia and 1915-D, where over-polishing removed the small innermost feather between Fraser’s portrait and the long feather behind it. As with the RPM, attribution requires matching the specific documented die, not just a feather that appears faint from wear.

The 1915-S is a genuinely scarce regular issue, particularly with a strong strike, but its lower availability reflects mintage and survival rather than any minting error.

How to examine a 1915 Buffalo nickel

• For a claimed 1915-D/D, examine the mintmark under magnification and compare the secondary D’s position and shape against certified reference images of FS-501 — position and shape must match precisely.
• For a claimed Two Feathers example, look for the documented polished-die characteristics rather than simply a feather that’s hard to see; wear and weak strikes can hide detail without being the genuine variety.
• Raised, rounded, repeatable doubling indicates a genuine die variety; flat or shelf-like doubling is mechanical and not collectible in the same way.
• Raised lines are usually die cracks; incuse marks typically indicate scratches or damage.

As on other early Buffalo nickel dates, worn dates are sometimes chemically treated or re-engraved to look sharper than they are — see our guide to documented counterfeit U.S. coins for more on how that’s detected. Never clean a candidate coin before authentication.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

Certification from PCGS or NGC is worthwhile for any claimed 1915-D/D or Two Feathers example, since both require precise die matching that’s difficult to confirm from photos alone. For an ordinary 1915-S, certification matters mainly at higher grades, where the premium for strike quality and condition rises quickly.

Understanding grades and condition

Wear appears first on Fraser’s cheekbone and hair braid on the obverse, and on the bison’s shoulder, horn, and hip on the reverse. The 1915-S is notably scarcer with a full, sharp strike than in worn grades, so strike quality is worth weighing alongside numerical grade when comparing listings.

Problem coins

Cleaning and environmental damage show up regularly on coins from this era. A details-graded 1915-S can be a reasonable way to acquire the tougher date at a lower price, provided the stated problem is reflected in the asking price.

Suggested search terms and filters

Start broad: “1915 Buffalo nickel,” “1915-D Buffalo nickel,” “1915-D/D repunched mintmark,” or “1915-S Buffalo nickel.”

Then narrow by:

• Variety: regular strike, 1915-D/D (FS-501), or Two Feathers (Philadelphia or 1915-D)
• Mint: no mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco)
• Certification: PCGS, NGC, or raw

Availability and pricing notes

Common-date Philadelphia and Denver 1915 nickels are widely available at modest prices. The 1915-S commands a real premium, especially with a strong strike, and certified 1915-D/D or Two Feathers examples trade above ordinary coins of the same date and mint. Compare recent completed sales before relying on a listed asking price.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, pricing, return policies, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1915 Buffalo Nickel” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by mint, variety attribution, grade, and certification.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If the right example isn’t available, save “1915 Buffalo Nickel” as a wishlist item with mint or variety preferences where available.
4. Get notified about new matches. GetCoinHunt sends an alert when new dealer inventory matches your wishlist.
5. Evaluate the coin before buying. Verify certification and photographs, read the full listing, and review the seller’s terms.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 1915-D/D repunched mintmark?

A documented Denver die, cataloged by PCGS as FS-501, where the D mintmark was punched into the die more than once, leaving a secondary D visible in a fixed position relative to the primary one.

Is the 1915-S rare?

It’s a genuinely scarce regular issue, especially with a strong strike, but it’s not a die variety or error — its scarcity is a function of mintage and survival.

How do I know a Two Feathers claim is real?

Compare the coin against certified reference photos of the specific documented die. A feather that’s merely hard to see because of wear or a weak strike isn’t the same as the genuine polished-die variety.

Should I worry about counterfeits on this date?

The 1915-S and any attributed variety are worth extra scrutiny given their premiums; common-date 1915 and 1915-D coins are less frequently targeted but still benefit from a basic authenticity check at higher grades.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1915 Buffalo Nickel” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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