Have a photo? Submit it and we'll credit you.

As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.

1936-D

Nickels · Buffalo Nickels · 1913–1938
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.2 mm
MintDenver
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 24,814,000 Combined mintage for all 1936-D varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames Earle Fraser
Collector's Key IDCK-1325

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

Denver struck 24,814,000 Buffalo nickels in 1936, a substantial production year that makes the 1936-D common in all grades. The coin is readily available in Mint State through major dealer inventories at modest premiums. Strike characteristics are generally strong, and Gem-quality examples exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand.

The year also produced the famous 1936-D 3-1/2 Legs variety (cataloged separately), which required some 1936-D coins to be examined carefully for variety attribution. Collectors building complete Buffalo nickel sets acquire the standard 1936-D without extraordinary difficulty, though specialists working on variety sets pay more attention to die state when selecting examples.

1936 Denver production benefited from the general mid-1930s improvement in Buffalo nickel strike quality, with many examples showing sharper detail than earlier Denver Buffalo output. High-grade specialists find 1936-D examples easier to locate in satisfactory condition than comparable 1920s issues, and the coin is among the more affordable high-grade Buffalo nickels for collectors focused on preservation quality.

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) $1.50 $1.50
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $2 $2
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $3 $3.50
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $10 $11.50
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $33 $38
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $48 $50
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1936-D 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 1936-D Buffalo Nickels were minted?
24,814,000 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1936-D varieties).
What is a 1936-D Buffalo Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1936-D 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 1936-D Buffalo Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.