As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.
1920-S
| Weight | 5 g |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint | San Francisco |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 9,689,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James Earle Fraser |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1289 |
Collection
Your collection
Sign in to track this coin.
One tap — add details later from your collection list.
No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
San Francisco's 1920 Buffalo nickel mintage was 9,689,000 coins, matching Denver and placing the 1920-S in the mid-range scarcity category. The coin is available in circulated grades and accessible in Mint State with moderate effort. San Francisco strike characteristics vary, and collectors seeking sharp examples should expect to examine multiple coins before finding one with acceptable detail.
Gem-quality 1920-S nickels with full strike are scarcer than the overall mintage would suggest. The coin is typical of San Francisco Buffalo nickel production in the early 1920s: available in absolute terms, challenging in condition. Specialist collectors building high-grade sets often pay premiums over common-date Gem pricing to acquire satisfactory 1920-S examples.
For high-grade specialists, the combination of moderate mintage and variable strike quality makes finding a satisfactory MS65 or better example a meaningful accomplishment. Collectors building complete Buffalo sets add the 1920-S without extraordinary difficulty at lower grades, reserving specialist attention for the challenges of Gem preservation.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $8 | $9 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $12.50 | $14.50 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $28 | $32 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $80 | $92 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $162 | $187 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $265 | $305 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $560 | $645 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $1,730 | $1,830 |
How much is a 1920-S Buffalo Nickel worth?
How many 1920-S Buffalo Nickels were minted?
What is a 1920-S Buffalo Nickel made of?
What is the melt value of a 1920-S Buffalo Nickel?
Is the 1920-S Buffalo Nickel a key date?
Live listings from eBay. As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you click a link and make a purchase. See all on eBay →
It is important that you educate yourself on a coin before making a substantial purchase, as some coins on eBay could be counterfeit or misrepresented. eBay Money Back Guarantee protects the buyer in these cases.