1917 Buffalo Nickel Errors, Varieties and Value

The United States entered the First World War in April 1917, and American coin production continued through the year largely uninterrupted — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco each struck Buffalo nickels to keep pace with everyday commerce. 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

By 1917, James Earle Fraser’s design was four years into production, using the Type 2 reverse adopted midway through 1913 after the original raised-mound design proved to wear too quickly. The bison stands on a flatter ground with FIVE CENTS recessed for durability, while the obverse carries Fraser’s composite Native American portrait. Every Buffalo nickel, including 1917 issues, is struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighs 5.00 grams, measures 21.21mm, and has a plain edge. Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark, while Denver and San Francisco pieces show a D or S beneath FIVE CENTS.

Errors and varieties to know

No major, broadly recognized die variety or error defines the 1917 date in the principal PCGS and NGC references. That doesn’t mean every 1917 nickel is identical in value — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco issues differ meaningfully in scarcity and typical strike quality, and a better date or higher condition rarity is a legitimate reason for a premium even without an attributed variety attached.

PCGS recognizes Two Feathers dies for Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco in 1917, where excessive die polishing removed the small innermost feather between Fraser’s portrait and the long feather behind it. As with other years, attribution requires matching the documented polished-die markers rather than simply a feather obscured by wear.

How to examine a 1917 Buffalo nickel

• For a claimed Two Feathers example from any of the three 1917 mints, compare the coin under magnification against certified reference photos of the specific documented die.
• Check general strike quality across the bison’s horn, shoulder, and hip, and across the high points of the portrait — strike quality varies by mint and die state even within a single date.
• Genuine doubled dies show raised, rounded secondary design in a fixed, repeatable position; flat or shelf-like doubling is mechanical and does not carry the same premium.
• Raised lines running through the field are typically die cracks; incuse marks are usually scratches or handling damage.

Because Buffalo nickel dates sit high on the design and wear away with circulation, some worn coins are chemically treated or re-engraved to appear sharper — a practice covered in our guide to documented counterfeit U.S. coins. Avoid cleaning any candidate coin before it’s been evaluated.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

For an ordinary 1917 nickel, certification is optional at lower grades but worthwhile for higher Mint State examples or a claimed Two Feathers attribution, where matching the documented die is difficult to confirm without expert review.

Understanding grades and condition

Wear first shows on the cheekbone and hair braid of Fraser’s portrait, and on the bison’s shoulder, horn, and hip on the reverse. As with most Buffalo nickels from this decade, well-struck Mint State examples are scarcer than the mintage figures alone suggest, since many coins saw heavy circulation before collectors began setting examples aside.

Problem coins

Cleaning, corrosion, and environmental damage are common on coins that have circulated for over a century. A details-graded 1917 nickel can be an economical way to fill a date in a circulated set, provided the price reflects the stated problem.

Suggested search terms and filters

Start broad: “1917 Buffalo nickel,” “1917-D Buffalo nickel,” “1917-S Buffalo nickel,” or “1917 Two Feathers nickel.”

Then narrow by:

• Mint: no mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco)
• Variety: regular strike or Two Feathers, where attributed
• Grade: circulated grades through Mint State
• Certification: PCGS, NGC, or raw

Availability and pricing notes

Ordinary 1917 Buffalo nickels are widely available across all three mints, with prices rising for better-struck or higher-grade examples rather than for any named variety. Certified Two Feathers coins trade at a premium tied to mint, grade, and documentation. Compare recent completed sales before assuming a listing’s asking price reflects the market.

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 “1917 Buffalo Nickel” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by mint, grade, variety attribution, and certification.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If the right example isn’t available, save “1917 Buffalo Nickel” as a wishlist item with mint or grade 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

Is there a major error or variety for 1917?

No major, broadly recognized die variety or error is documented for this date in the principal PCGS and NGC references, beyond the Two Feathers dies attributed to all three mints.

Why do some 1917 nickels cost more than others?

Differences in mint, strike quality, and grade drive price even without a named variety — a well-struck, high-grade example of a tougher mint can command a real premium over a worn common-date coin.

What is the Two Feathers variety?

A polished-die variety where the small innermost feather between the portrait and the long feather is missing due to excessive die polishing. It’s recognized for all three mints in 1917 and requires matching the documented die.

Should I have an ordinary 1917 nickel certified?

It’s optional for lower grades but worth considering for high Mint State examples or any coin offered as a Two Feathers variety.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1917 Buffalo Nickel” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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