NNP Encyclopedia data is provided in cooperation with Whitman Brands, based on catalog data organized by the Greysheet Identification System (GSID).
Entry Details
PCGS Number: 3970 Coin Date: 1930-S Denomination (Short): 5c Denomination (Long): 5 Cents Desg: MS Mint Mark: S Composition: 75% copper; 25% nickel Mintage: 5,435,000 Strike Type: Business Coinage Type: Buffalo nickel Coinage Years: 1913-1938 Mint Location: San Francisco Diameter: 21.2 Weight (Grams): 5 Weight (Ounces): 0.1608 Designer: James Earle Fraser Edge: Plain Obverse Description: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust. Reverse Description: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface. General Notes: The 1930-S Buffalo nickel probably best represents the last of the scarce S-mint Buffalo nickels in the Gem grades. Though not nearly as challenging or expensive in uncirculated grades as its S-mint predecessors it is nevertheless much tougher than the later S-mint representatives from the series. Numismatic experts believe about 1,000 exist in MS65 or better, though presently less than a dozen combined specimens in MS67 or better as graded by PCGS and NGC. PCGS #: 3970 NGC ID: 22SJ
