1935 S Buffalo Nickel

Numerous rolls of Mint State 1935 S nickels were set aside by collectors of that time, and this issue is thus fairly common unworn. Nearly all of these coins, however, are deficient in strike, as on the example illustrated. There is probably just a handful of fully struck coins, and these should bring a premium. The luster of 1935 S nickels typically is quite pleasing, and this helps to explain the large number certified as MS 65 and higher.

This is another issue that is rich in varieties. It may be that the sudden and very large increase in coinage during the years 1935-36 caught the Philadelphia Mint's Engraving Department unprepared and understaffed, with new hires perhaps accounting for the many repunched mintmarks. Other varieties include one doubled-die obverse and several for the reverse, all but one of these being rather minor.