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1917-S
| Weight | 5 g |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint | San Francisco |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 4,193,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James Earle Fraser |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1279 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
San Francisco's 1917 Buffalo nickel mintage was 4,193,000 coins, a moderate figure that places the 1917-S in the mid-range scarcity category. The coin is available in circulated grades and accessible in Mint State through specialist channels at modest premiums. Strike characteristics are variable, with some 1917-S nickels showing sharp detail and others displaying the softer strike typical of San Francisco Buffalo production.
Collectors building complete Buffalo nickel sets acquire the 1917-S without extraordinary difficulty. The coin fills its slot in the date-and-mint sequence as a typical San Francisco branch mint issue and commands modest premiums in higher grades. Well-struck Gem examples are prized by specialists who value strike quality alongside technical preservation.
San Francisco's role as a Pacific port took on increased military importance with American entry into World War I. Troops bound for Pacific operations, supplies for the Philippines, and commerce along the Pacific coast all drove the regional economy that the Mint's nickel production served. The 1917-S Buffalo nickels passed through a wartime San Francisco that was very different from the pre-war city.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $25 | $29 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $40 | $46 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $67 | $77 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $96 | $111 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $162 | $187 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $265 | $305 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $690 | $800 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $1,645 | $1,740 |
How much is a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel worth?
How many 1917-S Buffalo Nickels were minted?
What is a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel made of?
What is the melt value of a 1917-S Buffalo Nickel?
Is the 1917-S Buffalo Nickel a key date?
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