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1928

Nickels · Buffalo Nickels · 1913–1938
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.2 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 23,411,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames Earle Fraser
Collector's Key IDCK-1307

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About this coinHistory

Mint records show 23,411,000 Buffalo nickels for Philadelphia in 1928, continuing the high-volume production of the late 1920s. The coin is common in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Strike characteristics are generally strong, and Gem-quality examples exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand at modest premiums.

The 1928 Philadelphia is typical of late-decade Buffalo nickels. Date collectors acquire the coin without difficulty, and type collectors can select from available examples at various grade levels and price points.

1928 was a presidential election year in which Herbert Hoover defeated Alfred E. Smith to continue Republican dominance of the White House. Hoover's inauguration in March 1929 would be followed by the stock market crash of October 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression. The Buffalo nickels struck in 1928 circulated through the final prosperous year of the Roaring Twenties, unaware that the economic world they knew was about to collapse.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $1 $1
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $1.50 $1.50
F-12 Fine (F) $2 $2.50
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $4 $4.50
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $12.50 $14.50
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $19.50 $23
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $28 $32
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $95 $101
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1928 Buffalo Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $1, rising to roughly $28–$32 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1928 Buffalo Nickels were minted?
23,411,000 were struck.
What is a 1928 Buffalo Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1928 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 1928 Buffalo Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.