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1921-S
| Weight | 5 g |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint | San Francisco |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 1,557,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James Earle Fraser |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1291 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
San Francisco's 1921 Buffalo nickel mintage was 1,557,000 coins, one of the lowest in the entire Buffalo series and establishing the 1921-S as a genuine semi-key. The combination of low mintage, economic recession, and heavy circulation through the decade that followed makes the 1921-S scarce in all grades and rare in high condition.
Survival patterns reflect the difficult circumstances of the coin's production and use. Most 1921-S nickels circulated heavily and show significant wear. Very Fine and Extremely Fine examples are scarce. About Uncirculated coins require active searching, and Mint State pieces are genuinely rare. Gem-quality examples (MS65 and above) command four- to five-figure prices at auction.
Strike characteristics for 1921-S nickels are often poor, with soft obverse detail and weak reverse bison hair. Well-struck examples are rare and command premiums over typical strikes at the same technical grade. Specialists building high-grade Buffalo sets treat the 1921-S as one of several core semi-keys that require dedicated pursuit and premium pricing. The coin is often paired with the 1919-S and 1923-S in collector discussions of scarce San Francisco Buffalo nickels.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $60 | $69 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $94 | $108 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $126 | $145 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $305 | $350 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $770 | $890 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $990 | $1,140 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $1,410 | $1,630 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $2,620 | $2,775 |
How much is a 1921-S Buffalo Nickel worth?
How many 1921-S Buffalo Nickels were minted?
What is a 1921-S Buffalo Nickel made of?
What is the melt value of a 1921-S Buffalo Nickel?
Is the 1921-S Buffalo Nickel a key date?
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