A 1930-S Buffalo nickel graded MS-67+ by PCGS sold at Heritage Auctions in 2017 for $30,550 — yet most worn examples are worth just $1–$5. The difference? Mint mark, condition, and the elusive Two-Feather error. Use the free calculator below to pinpoint your coin's exact range.
Check My 1930 Nickel Value →For a thorough step-by-step walkthrough that helps you identify and grade every 1930 Buffalo nickel variety, see this complete 1930 nickel identification and reference guide. The table below gives you a fast overview of current market ranges across all five varieties and all four major condition tiers.
| Variety | Worn (Good) | Circulated (Fine–XF) | Uncirculated (MS-60+) | Gem (MS-65+) | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930-P (No Mint Mark) | $1 – $2 | $3 – $15 | $30 – $95 | $255 – $3,150 | Common |
| 1930-S (San Francisco) ★ | $2 – $5 | $8 – $69 | $50 – $150 | $475 – $12,000+ | Scarce |
| Two-Feather Error ⚑ | $30 – $65 | $65 – $576 | $800 – $2,750 | $2,750 – $3,300+ | Rare |
| DDO (FS-101/102/103) | $15 – $30 | $50 – $390 | $350 – $540 | $1,763 – $2,395+ | Rare |
| DDR (FS-801/802/803) | $20 – $45 | $88 – $390 | $400 – $1,540 | $1,806 – $3,290+ | Rare |
★ Signature variety — highlighted in gold. ⚑ Rarest variety — highlighted in red. Values are market ranges; certified PCGS/NGC examples trade at the upper end.
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The 1930 Buffalo nickel was struck during the onset of the Great Depression, when die maintenance at both Philadelphia and San Francisco was stretched thin. That pressure produced a fascinating set of mint errors — from dramatic die-polishing mishaps to catalogued doubled dies — each of which can transform an ordinary five-cent coin into a hundred- or thousand-dollar collectible. Use the sidebar to jump to any variety.
The Two-Feather error is the crown jewel of 1930 Buffalo nickel varieties. It occurred when mint workers over-polished the dies to remove clash marks or other surface imperfections, and in doing so accidentally removed the innermost, third feather from the Native American chief's headdress. That small feather normally sits nestled between the back of the neck and the longest feather of the headdress.
Most Two-Feather varieties originate from the San Francisco Mint (1930-S), though Philadelphia coins can also exhibit this error. Die polishing was a common practice used to extend die life, but workers sometimes applied it too aggressively. This particular error belongs to a larger family of 27 recognized Two-Feather varieties spanning the Buffalo nickel series from 1913 through 1930.
Collectors prize the Two-Feather because the diagnostic is visible to the naked eye — no loupe required once you know what to look for. A standard coin shows three feathers; spotting only two immediately signals something unusual. Circulated Two-Feather nickels typically sell for $65–$576 depending on grade and eye appeal, while mint-state examples are significantly more valuable, ranging from approximately $2,750–$3,300 at auction.
The Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties are the most monetarily rewarding errors in the entire 1930 Buffalo nickel series. Three distinct DDR varieties are recognized: FS-801, FS-802, and FS-803, each the result of misaligned die hubbing during production at the Philadelphia Mint. During manufacturing, the working die must be pressed multiple times against the master hub to transfer the full design — if the die shifted even fractionally between impressions, doubling is locked permanently into every coin struck from it.
DDR errors on 1930 Buffalo nickels appear most prominently in the denomination "FIVE CENTS" at the bottom of the reverse. The doubling can also affect "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" or "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and some varieties show doubled lines along the buffalo's back, legs, or tail. The FS-801 is the most widely known of the three DDR varieties.
The collector premium for DDR varieties is substantial and well-supported by auction records. Circulated examples start around $88 for lower grades, and better circulated specimens can reach $390 or more. The top auction result for DDR FS-801 is $3,290 for an MS-66 example sold in October 2014. An MS-65+ DDR FS-802 brought $1,806 in December 2018, showing that even the secondary varieties command serious money at the gem level.
The Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) on the 1930 Buffalo nickel results from the working die being "hubbed" — pressed against the master hub — twice at a slightly different rotational angle, permanently locking the doubling into every coin struck from that die. Three distinct DDO varieties exist for the 1930 Philadelphia issue, catalogued as FS-101, FS-102, and FS-103 in the Cherrypickers' Guide, the authoritative reference used by variety collectors.
Doubling on DDO varieties appears most prominently on the date numerals "1930" and in the LIBERTY lettering on the obverse. Some specimens display noticeable doubling on the lips, chin, and eye area of the Native American chief's portrait. Under a 10× loupe aimed at the date, look for a slight ghosting or secondary impression running alongside the primary design elements. The FS-103 variety is the strongest and most frequently attributed.
Circulated 1930 DDO nickels sell for $50–$390 depending on the strength of the doubling and the coin's overall grade. Uncirculated examples command $350–$540 for standard mint-state grades. High-grade certified specimens bring impressive results at major auction houses: an MS-66 DDO FS-103 sold for $2,395 in 2018, and a second MS-66 example of the same variety brought $1,763 in January 2013. An MS-65 example fetched $552 in October 2017.
The Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) variety occurs on 1930-S Buffalo nickels when the "S" punch was applied to the working die more than once, and the secondary impression was slightly misaligned relative to the first. During this era, mint mark punches were individually hand-stamped into each working die by mint employees — a time-consuming and imprecise process that frequently produced repunched examples across the Buffalo nickel series.
On the 1930-S RPM, the secondary "S" impression typically appears slightly north, south, or rotated from the primary mark. Under 10× magnification, the doubling of the curved serif strokes on the "S" letter is the key diagnostic. Strong RPM examples show a visually distinct second "S" impression that is immediately recognizable without needing to compare to reference images, while minor RPM varieties require careful examination and side-by-side comparison with the Cherrypickers' Guide.
RPM varieties are popular among specialists who assemble complete die-variety sets of Buffalo nickels. The premium over a normal 1930-S is modest in lower circulated grades — perhaps 20–50% above standard values — but increases meaningfully in higher grades where surface preservation allows the repunched mark to be clearly photographed and verified. Circulated RPM examples typically sell for $15–$50 in Fine to XF grades, while uncirculated specimens with strong repunching can exceed $150–$200 in the collector market.
Die crack and cud errors occur when the hardened steel dies used to strike coins develop fractures during production runs. As a die ages and is subjected to tens of thousands of strike impacts, metal fatigue causes hairline cracks to form, and these cracks transfer to every coin struck thereafter as raised, irregular ridges on the coin's surface. The 1930 Buffalo nickel, produced during a period of extended die use under Depression-era budget constraints, exhibits a number of interesting die crack examples.
Minor die cracks appear as thin raised lines crossing the design, often beginning near the rim where metal stress concentrates first. These are distinguishable from post-mint scratches because cracks are always raised — metal is pushed up above the surface — while scratches are incised, pressing metal down. A "cud" error is the dramatic end-stage: a section of the die breaks away entirely, leaving a blank, raised blob of metal in its place on struck coins. Major cuds affecting a significant portion of the design are the most sought-after examples.
The premium for minor die cracks is modest — typically $5–$25 above normal coin value — and most collectors view them as interesting varieties rather than major errors. Dramatic die cracks crossing significant portions of the design can reach $50–$150 depending on size and visibility. Major cud errors on 1930 Buffalo nickels, where the break affects a recognizable part of the portrait or bison, bring $100–$300 depending on the size of the affected area and the coin's overall grade and preservation.
Think you spotted one of these errors on your 1930 Buffalo nickel?
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| Mint Facility | Mint Mark | Mintage | Status | MS-65+ Pop (PCGS + NGC est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None (blank) | 22,849,000 | Common in circulated grades | ~2,000 certified at MS-65 or better |
| San Francisco | S | 5,435,000 | Semi-scarce; condition rarity in gem grades | < 75 pieces at MS-66 or better |
| Denver | D | None struck | No 1930-D exists | — |
| TOTAL | — | 28,284,000 | — | — |
Note: The U.S. Mint did not produce proof Buffalo nickels in 1930. Proof strikes exist only for 1913–1916 and 1936–1937. Any coin offered as a "1930 proof" is not a genuine U.S. Mint issue.
Heavy overall wear. The date is readable but numerals may be partially merged. The Indian's portrait is flat and smooth — feather outlines barely visible. The buffalo's horn is entirely gone. Lettering merges with the rim in places. Worth $1–$5 depending on mint mark.
Major details visible but soft. Hair strands above the braid show some separation. The buffalo's horn is at least partially visible (¾ must show for F-12 per ANA standards). The tail tip shows a split. Worth $3–$69 depending on mint mark — the range widens sharply for the 1930-S.
Only the highest points show slight wear. Indian's cheekbone retains most luster; hair detail is crisp. Buffalo shoulder still shows muscle definition. The horn is sharp and complete. About Uncirculated examples show just a trace of friction. Worth $15–$150 across both mints.
No wear anywhere; original mint luster intact. Examine the cheekbone and buffalo's hip under rotation — wear shows as luster breaks. Full Horn designation (complete, sharp horn) adds dramatically to value. An MS-67+ 1930-S sold for $30,550 in 2017. Strike quality is critical: a Full Horn, sharply struck example can be worth 2–5× a weakly struck coin of the same grade.
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The Two-Feather error is the most visually distinctive 1930 Buffalo nickel variety — and one of the most counterfeited by casual collectors misidentifying worn coins. Use this checklist to determine whether your coin is a genuine Two-Feather specimen or a normal example with worn or damaged feathers.
Check all that apply to your coin:
Got a Two-Feather result? Find out exactly what it's worth by condition and mint mark.
Calculate My Coin's Value →Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any known errors to get an instant value estimate based on current market data.
If you don't yet know your coin's mint mark, condition, or errors, there's a free 1930 Buffalo Nickel Coin Value Checker online tool that estimates value from uploaded photos — no coin knowledge required.
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The best venue depends on your coin's value tier. A worn example worth $2 calls for a different approach than a gem-mint Two-Feather worth $3,000+.
The top venue for high-grade 1930 Buffalo nickels — especially the 1930-S in MS-65 or above, or any certified error variety. Heritage's dedicated numismatic audience and transparent auction structure routinely achieve record prices. The $30,550 MS-67+ 1930-S sold here in 2017. Minimum consignment thresholds apply; contact Heritage directly for coins valued above $500.
Ideal for mid-range examples — circulated 1930 and 1930-S nickels and lower-grade error coins. Check current sold prices and recent 1930 Buffalo nickel listings to benchmark what buyers are actually paying before you list. Always photograph both sides in sharp macro focus, and mention the mint mark and any error attribution in the title.
Fast and hassle-free for worn circulated examples worth under $20. Dealers typically pay 50–70% of retail for common dates. Bring the coin in a protective flip — never in PVC holders. An LCS is also a good first stop to get a free verbal assessment before deciding on a selling venue for higher-grade pieces.
A collector-to-collector marketplace where you can avoid dealer markups entirely. Best for mid-range raw coins ($10–$200) where knowledgeable buyers will appreciate an honest description. Post clear macro photos of both sides; mention the date, mint mark, condition estimate, and any visible errors. Transactions are typically completed via PayPal G&S.
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