How Much Is A 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel Worth?
Values for the 1937-D three-legged nickel run from about $400–$550 (Good (G-4)) to $2,500–$4,000 (MS-63). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.
History of the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The Three-Legged Buffalo is the most famous mint error of the series. A Denver Mint employee polished a damaged reverse die so aggressively that the bison’s foreleg vanished entirely, leaving a hoof floating below empty space. The coins entered circulation before anyone noticed.
Because the missing leg is so visually obvious, the variety became a household name among collectors, and demand has always outstripped the modest surviving population — especially in uncirculated grades.
The 1937-D three-legged nickel was struck in 1937 in copper-nickel. Production took place at Denver (D).
How much is a 1937-D three-legged nickel worth?
Prices for the 1937-D three-legged nickel move with the collector market. Use the ranges below as a starting point for problem-free examples, not as a guarantee.
Printed price guides age quickly. The most honest benchmark is what comparable coins actually sold for. AI Coin Collector gives you a starting point: the Numista catalogue price per grade, from VG to UNC, whenever it identifies a coin.
- Good (G-4): $400–$550
- Fine (F-12): $550–$700
- Extremely Fine (XF-40): $800–$1,100
- MS-63: $2,500–$4,000
How to identify a genuine 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
Before you get excited about a potential find, confirm that the coin in your hand matches the genuine article. Work through this checklist:
When a coin fails any of these checks, treat it with suspicion. Modern counterfeits can be convincing at arm's length, but weight, dimensions and die details rarely lie.
- The middle of the foreleg is missing but the hoof remains — crude removals of the whole leg are fakes.
- Genuine examples show a stream of raised die-polish dots ("urine stream") from the bison’s belly to the ground.
- The back leg looks moth-eaten at the top on genuine coins.
- Certification is standard for this variety given rampant alterations.
Check your 1937-D three-legged nickel with AI Coin Collector
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests what it is (you check and adjust the suggestion), the app estimates a grade on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.
From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1937-D three-legged nickel worth?
Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Good (G-4)) trade around $400–$550, while the strongest pieces (MS-63) bring $2,500–$4,000. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.
How can I tell if my 1937-D three-legged nickel is genuine?
Start with the physical basics: the middle of the foreleg is missing but the hoof remains — crude removals of the whole leg are fakes. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.
Can an app identify and value my 1937-D three-legged nickel?
Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.