1930 Buffalo Nickel Errors, Varieties and Value

The stock market crash of October 1929 didn’t stop Buffalo nickel production the following year, but the broader economic slowdown that followed would soon reshape how much coinage the Mint needed to strike — a shift that becomes dramatically visible within just a couple of years of 1930. 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

The 1930 nickel carries James Earle Fraser’s Type 2 reverse, adopted midway through 1913, with the composite Native American portrait on the obverse and a bison on a flatter, recessed reverse ground. All 1930 nickels are struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, weigh 5.00 grams, measure 21.21mm, and have a plain edge. Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark; Denver and San Francisco pieces show a D or S beneath FIVE CENTS. Within just a couple of years, economic conditions would grow severe enough that the Mint skipped nickel production entirely in some years — a gap covered in our 1932 and 1933 pages.

Errors and varieties to know

No major, broadly recognized error or die variety is singled out for 1930 in the principal PCGS and NGC references. Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco issues differ in scarcity and typical strike quality, but a better date or condition rarity is not automatically an error.

PCGS recognizes a Two Feathers die for San Francisco in 1930, created when excessive die polishing removed the small innermost feather between the portrait and the long feather behind it. Genuine attribution requires matching the documented die rather than a feather that’s simply hard to see.

How to examine a 1930 Buffalo nickel

• For a claimed San Francisco Two Feathers coin, compare under magnification against certified reference photos of the specific documented die.
• Check overall strike quality on the bison’s horn and shoulder, since a sharply struck example is worth a real premium even without a named variety attached.
• Genuine doubled dies show raised, rounded secondary design in a fixed, repeatable position; flat or shelf-like doubling is mechanical, not a collectible variety.
• Raised lines across the field typically indicate die cracks; incuse marks usually point to scratches or handling damage.

As with other dates in this series, worn or damaged dates are sometimes 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

A raw 1930 nickel from a reputable dealer is a reasonable purchase at typical grades. For a claimed San Francisco Two Feathers example, certification from PCGS or NGC provides useful confidence that the specific die match holds up.

Understanding grades and condition

Wear follows the usual Buffalo nickel pattern — the portrait’s cheekbone and hair braid first, then the bison’s shoulder and horn. None of the 1930 mints rank among the series’ major keys, so grade and strike quality drive value more than mint alone.

Problem coins

Cleaning, corrosion, and environmental damage are common among coins pulled from decades-old accumulations. A details-graded 1930 nickel is a sensible, lower-cost way to fill the date, provided the price reflects the stated problem.

Suggested search terms and filters

Start broad: “1930 Buffalo nickel,” “1930-S Buffalo nickel,” “1930 Philadelphia nickel,” or “1930 Two Feathers nickel.”

Then narrow by:

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

Availability and pricing notes

Ordinary 1930 nickels are common and affordably priced across all three mints. Certified San Francisco Two Feathers examples command a premium tied to documentation and grade. 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 “1930 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 “1930 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 headline variety for 1930?

No major, broadly recognized error or die variety is documented for this date beyond the San Francisco Two Feathers die.

Did the Great Depression affect 1930 nickel production?

Production continued at all three mints in 1930, but economic conditions worsened quickly enough afterward that the Mint skipped nickel coinage in some subsequent years.

Which mint carries the recognized 1930 variety?

San Francisco. No Two Feathers die is documented for Philadelphia or Denver in 1930.

Are any 1930 mints notably scarce?

None rank among the series’ major keys, so pricing is driven mostly by grade and strike quality rather than mint scarcity alone.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1930 Buffalo Nickel” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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