1938-D/S 5C Buffalo MS66 Certification #21787432, PCGS #3985

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

My Bison wants to jump off his plain and run. Luster is outstanding with creamy white fields and a hint of Gold tone.

Expert Comments

David Hall

The 1938-D/S Buffalo nickel variety was first discovered circa 1961 by Robert Kerr and C.G. Langworthy. The two collectors submitted their findings to the then new "Coin World" weekly publication and subsequently no less a numismatic luminary than Q. David Bowers confirmed the authenticity of the over-mintmark. Since no Buffalo nickels were minted in San Francisco in 1938, it seems likely that some S-mintmarked dies were deliberately repunched at the Denver Mint. There are several variations of this over-mintmark and only the "strong" variety commands a noticeable premium. While quite interesting, the 1938-D/S is not all that rare. And like the regular mint mark 1938-D, this issue often comes well struck with great luster.

PCGS #

3985

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

7020000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

468

Pop Lower

2690

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	20000	R-2.8	60 / 69 TIE	61 / 72 TIE
All Grades	7000	R-3.6	63 / 69	65 / 72
60 or Better	6000	R-3.8	62 / 69 TIE	64 / 72 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	20000
All Grades	7000
60 or Better	6000

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-2.8
All Grades	R-3.6
60 or Better	R-3.8

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	60 / 69 TIE
All Grades	63 / 69
60 or Better	62 / 69 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	61 / 72 TIE
All Grades	65 / 72
60 or Better	64 / 72 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

#4 MS67 PCGS grade