A single Buffalo Nickel, once used to buy a pizza, sold for an astonishing $601,000 at auction, proving that pocket change can hide incredible value. This rare 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, with a unique minting error, has collectors and everyday people checking their coins for a life-changing find. Experts believe a few of these valuable nickels might still be in circulation, waiting to be discovered in a wallet or coin jar.
A Nickel with a Big Story
The Buffalo Nickel, also called the Indian Head Nickel, was minted in the U.S. from 1913 to 1938. It features a Native American on one side and a buffalo on the other, capturing a slice of American history. The 1918/7-D version is special because of a rare mistake where the 1918 date was stamped over a 1917 die, creating a faint double impression.
This error makes it one of the rarest coins, with fewer than 200 known to exist. One such nickel, used by a Pennsylvania teenager to pay for a pizza in 2007, was later spotted by a sharp-eyed coin shop owner, sparking its journey to fame.
From Pizza to Museum
The story of this nickel is wild. After being spent on a late-night pizza, it passed through many hands before landing in a small-town coin shop. The shop owner noticed the odd date and faint doubling in the buffalo design, realizing it was no ordinary coin. In 2024, it hit the auction block at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, where collectors battled fiercely.
Despite its worn condition, the nickel sold for $601,000. The anonymous buyer donated it to the American Numismatic Museum in Colorado Springs, where it now sits in a secure display, drawing visitors eager to see a coin that went from pocket change to a national treasure.
| Feature | Regular Buffalo Nickel | 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel |
|---|---|---|
| Face Value | 5 cents | 5 cents |
| Year | 1913-1938 | 1918/1917 Overdate |
| Mint Mark | Varies (D, S, or none) | D (Denver) |
| Value | Nominal | $601,000 |
| Known Examples | Millions | Fewer than 200 |
How to Spot the Treasure
You don’t need to be a coin expert to join the hunt. Check the date on any Buffalo Nickel look for 1918. Then, inspect the date closely for signs of a faint “7” under the “8,” which marks the overdate error. Look for a small “D” mint mark on the back, near the buffalo. A magnifying glass can help spot the doubling in the buffalo’s design. If you think you’ve found one, don’t clean it cleaning can ruin its value. Take it to a trusted coin dealer or grading service like PCGS or NGC for a professional check.
A Nationwide Coin Craze
The $601,000 sale has sparked a frenzy. People are digging through piggy banks, car consoles, and old drawers, hoping to find a rare Buffalo Nickel. Coin experts say these coins could still be out there, as many were used like regular change decades ago. Stories of valuable coins turning up in unexpected places like vending machines or tip jars are fueling the excitement. This nickel shows how a tiny piece of history can hold massive value, inspiring treasure hunters everywhere.
Your Chance to Strike It Rich
Finding a $601,000 Buffalo Nickel is a long shot, but it’s not impossible. Every time you get change or sort through old coins, you could be holding a fortune. This coin’s journey from a pizza payment to a museum display is a reminder to check your change carefully. So, next time you fish a nickel out of your pocket, take a closer look it might just be a life-changing treasure.
