1914-D

Denver struck 3,912,000 Buffalo nickels in 1914, a modest figure that established the 1914-D as a semi-key date in the series. The low mintage, combined with the fact that most examples entered circulation and were worn down through heavy use, makes the 1914-D one of the more challenging Buffalo nickels in all grades except the very lowest. Collectors building complete Buffalo sets typically encounter the 1914-D as one of several semi-keys that require budget planning and active searching.

Survival in circulated condition is adequate, though most examples show significant wear. Very Fine and Extremely Fine 1914-D nickels command meaningful premiums over common-date baselines, and Mint State examples are scarce enough to command four-figure prices at the Gem level. Denver strike characteristics tend toward softer obverse detail, which makes finding a sharp 1914-D a challenge even when the overall grade is high.

The 1914-D is grouped with the 1914-S, 1915-S, and 1919-D in most collector discussions of Buffalo nickel semi-keys. All four are low-mintage branch mint issues from the series' early years, and together they define the intermediate price tier between the common dates and the true key dates (1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D, 1926-S, and 1937-D 3 Legs). Acquiring nice examples of all four semi-keys requires dedication but is achievable for motivated specialists.