Don't Get Nickeled and Dimed: Best Places for Buffalo Nickel Rolls

The Timeless Appeal of Buffalo Nickel Rolls

Buffalo nickel rolls are one of the most popular ways to collect these iconic American coins in bulk — and for good reason.

Here's a quick look at what you need to know before you buy:

What You Want	Best Option
Affordable entry into collecting	20-coin no-date roll (~$6.99)
Full collectible value	40-coin full-date roll ($39.95–$49.95)
Budget middle ground	20-coin full-date half roll ($19.95–$26.73)
Bulk investment	1,000-coin bags ($299.99+)
Rare finds	Key-date rolls or auction hoards

Buffalo nickels were minted from 1913 to 1938, making them nearly a century old. A standard roll holds 40 coins with a $2 face value. Half rolls contain 20 coins at $1 face value.

The coins come in a few date conditions:

• Full date — all four digits clearly visible; highest collector value
• Partial date — some digits worn away; mid-range value
• No date — digits completely worn; lowest price, sometimes used for crafting or treasure hunting
• Restored date — acid-treated to reveal digits; worth less than natural full-date coins

Prices range roughly from $7 for a no-date half roll to $50 or more for a hand-selected full-date roll of 40. Rare year-specific rolls can climb well past $100.

Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned numismatist hunting key dates, there's a roll format and price point that fits. Here's everything you need to make a smart purchase.

The History and Design of the Buffalo Nickel

To understand why buffalo nickel rolls are so coveted, we have to look back at the early 20th century. At the time, the United States Mint was on a mission to beautify American coinage. They tapped James Earle Fraser), a former student of the legendary Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to design a coin that captured the spirit of the American West.

The result was the "Indian Head" or Buffalo Nickel, first released in 1913. The obverse (front) features a dignified profile of a Native American man. Fraser famously noted that this was a composite portrait, modeled after three different men: Chief Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux, Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne, and Big Tree of the Kiowa.

On the reverse (back), we find the namesake of the coin: a massive American Bison. While many call it a buffalo, it is technically a bison, and many historians believe the model was "Black Diamond," a famous resident of the Central Park Zoo in New York.

The 1913 Transition: Type I and Type II

If you are sorting through buffalo nickel rolls, you might notice a slight difference in the ground the bison stands on for coins dated 1913.

• Type I (Raised Mound): The bison stands on a raised mound of dirt. The words "FIVE CENTS" are embossed on the mound itself.
• Type II (Flat Ground): The Mint quickly realized that the "FIVE CENTS" inscription on the raised mound wore away too quickly in circulation. They redesigned the reverse to have a flat line of ground with the denomination recessed below it to protect the text from wear.

This design change happened mid-year, making 1913 a fascinating year for collectors. Because the date was also placed on a raised portion of the Native American's shoulder, it suffered the same fate as the original denomination text—it wore away easily. This is why so many buffalo nickel rolls today contain "no date" coins.

Understanding Buffalo Nickel Rolls: Sizes and Date Conditions

When you start shopping for buffalo nickel rolls, you'll find they aren't all created equal. The value of a roll is almost entirely dependent on how many of the coins still have their dates intact. In the numismatic world, "date visibility" is the primary divider between a roll worth $7 and a roll worth $50.

Most buffalo nickel rolls you find on the market today consist of circulated coins. These were the workhorses of the American economy during the Great Depression and the World Wars. Because they were made of a copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel) and had high-relief designs, they wore down significantly over decades of use.

Standard Sizes for Buffalo Nickel Rolls

The most common way to buy these coins is in the standard bank-wrapped or dealer-wrapped format.

• Full Rolls (40 Coins): This is the industry standard. A full roll has a face value of $2.00. These are often sold in plastic airtight tubes to prevent further wear or environmental damage.
• Half Rolls (20 Coins): A great entry point for new collectors, these have a $1.00 face value. You can often find these for as low as $19.95 for full-date versions or $6.99 for no-date versions.
• Bulk Bags: For those who want to "hoard" or go on a massive treasure hunt, bags of 100, 500, or even 1,000 coins are available. A 1,000-coin bag of no-date nickels typically retails around $299.99.

At Coins Online LLC, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of sizes to fit any budget. Whether you want a single tube or a bulk lot, we apply the same level of care to our about us services to ensure you get exactly what you ordered.

Date Visibility in Buffalo Nickel Rolls

• Full Dates: These are the "gold standard." Every coin in the roll has a clear, four-digit date. Most full-date rolls are dominated by coins from the 1930s (the most common surviving years), but they are the most liquid and easiest to resell.
• Partial Dates: You can see at least two or three digits of the date. These are more affordable than full-date rolls but still hold more interest than dateless ones.
• No Dates (Culls): The date is completely worn away. While they have no specific numismatic value beyond their metal content and historical "cool factor," they are incredibly popular for jewelry making, buttons, and "acid testing."
• Restored Dates: Some collectors use a chemical called Nic-A-Date to reveal the worn-away date. While this "restores" the date, it leaves a dull, etched mark on the coin. In the eyes of professional graders, these are considered damaged, though they can be a fun way to find a "hidden" key date in a cheap roll.

Factors That Determine the Value of Buffalo Nickel Rolls

If you’re looking at two different buffalo nickel rolls and one is double the price of the other, several factors are likely at play. Here is what we look for when valuing a roll:

1. The Mint Mark

Where the coin was made matters. You can find the mint mark on the reverse of the coin, just below the words "FIVE CENTS."

• No Mint Mark: Philadelphia Mint (The most common).
• D: Denver Mint.
• S: San Francisco Mint (Generally the lowest mintage and most valuable).

2. Condition Grades

Even in a circulated roll, there are degrees of wear.

• G-4 (Good): The date is readable, but the design is heavily worn. This is the typical grade for a "Full Date" roll.
• VG-8 to VF-20: Finer details like the braid in the hair or the horn on the bison begin to appear.
• Uncirculated (MS): These coins look like they just left the mint. A full roll of Uncirculated Buffalo Nickels is a rare and expensive find, often costing thousands of dollars depending on the year.

3. Key Dates and Varieties

Every once in a while, a standard roll might hide a "treasure." Some of the most sought-after coins include:

• 1913-S Type II: The "Holy Grail" for many, with a very low mintage.
• 1916-D: A tough-to-find early date.
• 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo: A famous error where a damaged die caused the bison's front leg to disappear.
• 1918/7-D: A rare overdate error.

Price Comparison Table: Full Date vs. No Date

Roll Size	No Date Price	Full Date Price (G-4+)
20 Coins (Half Roll)	$6.99 - $14.95	$19.95 - $26.73
40 Coins (Full Roll)	$15.00 - $25.00	$39.95 - $49.95

Where to Find the Best Buffalo Nickel Rolls

Finding buffalo nickel rolls isn't hard, but finding quality ones requires a bit of research. Since these coins haven't been minted in over 85 years, they primarily come from old estates, hoards, and long-time collections.

Online Marketplaces vs. Specialized Dealers

You can find hundreds of listings on sites like eBay or Etsy. While these can offer deals, you have to be careful. Some sellers might "salt" their rolls—putting a nice coin on the end (the "ender") while filling the middle with dateless culls.

At Coins Online LLC, we've been in the numismatics industry since 1999. We’ve built our reputation on transparency. When we say a roll is "Full Date," we mean it. We hand-select our circulated coins to ensure that the 4-digit dates are visible. If you ever have questions about our current stock or need help identifying a coin, our contact us services are always available to assist you.

Buying Buffalo Nickel Rolls Safely

To ensure you aren't getting "nickeled and dimed," follow these best practices:

• Check Seller Feedback: Look for high ratings and a long history of selling coins specifically.
• Look for Airtight Tubes: Reputable dealers ship buffalo nickel rolls in plastic, PVC-free tubes. This protects the coins from the elements and ensures they don't rattle around during shipping.
• Understand Return Policies: We offer a 14-day return policy because we want you to be 100% satisfied with your "hoard."
• Beware of "Unsearched" Claims: In the coin world, "unsearched" is often a marketing gimmick. Most rolls have been looked at by someone at some point. Focus on the guaranteed condition (e.g., "Full Date G-4") rather than the promise of a hidden 1916-S.

Collector Tips for Storing and Evaluating Your Rolls

Once you’ve acquired your buffalo nickel rolls, you want to keep them in good shape. Even though these coins are already circulated, they can still suffer from "environmental damage."

1. Avoid PVC: Old-fashioned flip-style holders often contained PVC, which can cause a green, sticky residue to form on nickels. Always use modern, PVC-free plastic tubes.
2. Humidity is the Enemy: Store your rolls in a cool, dry place. If you live in a humid area (like our friends in New Orleans!), consider keeping your coins in a safe with a silica gel pack to absorb moisture.
3. Use a Loupe: To truly appreciate the design or to hunt for errors like the "Three-Legged Buffalo," invest in a 10x magnifying loupe. It opens up a whole new world of detail. For more advanced collectors, referring to official grading guides can help you accurately assess your find.
4. Don't Clean Them: This is the golden rule of coin collecting. Never use polish, soap, or even a soft cloth to "shine" your nickels. Cleaning a coin removes the original surface (patina) and can slash its value by 50% or more. Collectors prefer the "original" look of a circulated coin.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Nickels

How many coins are in a standard Buffalo Nickel roll?

A standard full roll contains 40 coins, which equals a face value of $2.00. Many dealers also offer half rolls of 20 coins ($1.00 face value) for those looking for a more affordable option.

What is the difference between a Type I and Type II Buffalo Nickel?

This refers to the 1913 design. Type I has the bison standing on a raised mound with the "FIVE CENTS" text on the mound. Type II has the bison standing on a flat line of ground with the text in a recessed area below it. The Type II design was used from mid-1913 until the end of the series in 1938.

Are "no date" Buffalo Nickels worth anything?

While they don't have much value to serious coin investors, they are still worth more than their 5-cent face value! They typically sell for about $0.30 to $0.50 each in bulk. They are very popular for jewelry, craft projects, and for beginners who want to practice using "Nic-A-Date" to reveal hidden years.

Conclusion

Buffalo nickel rolls are more than just a pile of old change; they are a tangible connection to the American frontier and a golden era of US coin design. Whether you are buying a roll of 40 full-date coins to start a collection or a bulk bag of no-dates for a creative project, these coins offer incredible historical value.

At Coins Online LLC, we make it easy and affordable to own a piece of this history. With competitive prices, low shipping rates to the US and Canada, and a massive inventory of over 5,000 products, we are here to help you grow your collection without getting "nickeled and dimed."

Ready to start your hunt? Shop Buffalo Nickel Rolls at Coins Online LLC today and see what treasures you can find!