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1929

Nickels · Buffalo Nickels · 1913–1938
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.2 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 36,446,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames Earle Fraser
Collector's Key IDCK-1310

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia's 1929 Buffalo nickel mintage reached 36,446,000 coins, the final high-volume year before the Great Depression collapsed production for the next several years. The coin is common in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Strike characteristics are generally strong, with Gem-quality examples existing in adequate numbers for specialist demand at modest premiums.

The 1929 Philadelphia is typical of late-decade Buffalo nickels. Collectors building complete Buffalo sets acquire the coin without extraordinary effort, and type collectors often select 1929 examples as representatives of the series' pre-Depression production.

The stock market crash began on October 24, 1929, and culminated on Black Tuesday, October 29, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 12% in a single day. The nickels struck in Philadelphia that year entered circulation in the final months of the Roaring Twenties and continued to change hands as the economy collapsed around them. By 1930, Mint production had begun its steep decline, and the 1929 issue marks the end of an era in Buffalo nickel production.

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) $33 $38
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $85 $90
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1929 Buffalo Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $1, rising to roughly $33–$38 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1929 Buffalo Nickels were minted?
36,446,000 were struck.
What is a 1929 Buffalo Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1929 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 1929 Buffalo Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.