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Known Errors

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo

Die polishing removed the buffalo's front right leg, creating the famous three-legged variety.

How to check: Look at the buffalo's legs. The front right leg should be missing or almost entirely gone. There should also be a 'moth-eaten' appearance on the back right leg.

$500 - $10,000+

1918/7-D Overdate

An 8 was punched over a 7 in the date, showing traces of the underlying 7.

How to check: Examine the 8 in the date with magnification. Remnants of a 7 should be visible beneath.

$500 - $5,000+

Doubled Die Varieties

Various years show doubling on the date, LIBERTY, and the buffalo's features.

How to check: Check the date and the word LIBERTY (incuse on the obverse) for signs of doubling.

$25 - $500

Die Cracks on Reverse

The high-relief buffalo design caused frequent die cracking, especially around the bison.

How to check: Look for raised lines across the buffalo or in the fields of the reverse.

$5 - $75

Quick Checks

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 3-legged buffalo nickel worth?

A genuine 1937-D three-legged buffalo nickel ranges from $500 in well-worn condition to $10,000+ in higher grades. Counterfeits exist, so authentication is recommended for high-value examples.

Are buffalo nickels worth looking for errors?

Yes! Besides the famous three-legged variety, many doubled dies, overdates, and die crack errors exist. Even common dates with errors can command $25-$500.

How do I verify a three-legged buffalo nickel?

The genuine 1937-D three-legged has a 'moth-eaten' texture on the back right leg and a raised area where the front leg was polished away. Upload photos to ErrorHunt for AI verification.

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