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1915 Proof

Nickels · Buffalo Nickels · 1913–1938
Key date Proof
Weight5 g
Diameter21.2 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 1,050
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames Earle Fraser
Collector's Key IDCK-1268

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About this coinHistory

The 1915 proof Buffalo nickel had a mintage of 1,050 coins, another low figure in the matte proof sub-series. Philadelphia continued the matte finish format despite continued soft demand from collectors, producing coins with the distinctive satin fields and sharp device detail characteristic of early Buffalo nickel proofs.

Collectors building complete Buffalo nickel proof sets acquire the 1915 as a required entry. Surviving populations are limited, and high-grade examples command significant premiums. PR64 and PR65 examples appear at major auctions periodically, and specialist dealers maintain occasional inventory at varying price points.

1915 was also the year of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, for which the Mint issued commemorative gold and silver coins. The Panama-Pacific commemoratives used matte finish for the gold pieces, aligning with the same format as the Buffalo nickel proofs of the year. The 1915 Buffalo nickel proofs are contemporary with these commemoratives and share the aesthetic principles that guided matte-finish production in the mid-1910s.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1915 Proof Buffalo Nickels were minted?
1,050 were struck.
What is a 1915 Proof Buffalo Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1915 Proof Buffalo Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1915 Proof Buffalo Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1915 Proof Buffalo Nickel is considered a key date in the Buffalo Nickels series and commands a strong premium.