The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel is one of the most recognized and most talked-about coins in American numismatics. It is not a key date by mintage. It is not a rare coin in the traditional sense. What it is, is the most famous mint error in the history of United States coinage, a coin that has fascinated collectors for nearly ninety years and continues to command strong premiums over its normal counterpart. At Clemson Coins, Currency, Bullion and Jewelry in Pendleton, SC, we buy Buffalo Nickels regularly, and the 3-Legged is always a coin we are happy to see come through the door.
The Buffalo Nickel Series
Before getting into the 3-Legged variety, it helps to understand the series it comes from. The Buffalo Nickel, also called the Indian Head Nickel, was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser and struck from 1913 through 1938. Fraser's design is widely considered one of the most artistically successful in American coinage history.
The obverse features a composite portrait of a Native American chief, based on Fraser's studies of several tribal leaders including Iron Tail, Two Moons, and Big Tree. The reverse features an American bison standing on a mound, modeled after Black Diamond, a bison at the Central Park Zoo in New York. The inscriptions are minimal and the design fills the coin with a boldness that was unusual for American coinage of the era.
The series ran for 25 years across three mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The mint mark appears on the reverse below the words FIVE CENTS. The series has several genuine key dates and semi-key dates, but none has captured the public imagination quite like the 1937-D 3-Legged variety.
How the Error Happened
The story of the 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel begins with a problem that was common in the Buffalo Nickel series: die wear and die damage. The Buffalo Nickel design was notoriously hard on dies. The high relief of the design, particularly the bison's shoulder and the Native American's cheekbone, caused dies to wear quickly. The Denver Mint in 1937 was dealing with a worn reverse die that showed damage and deterioration in the area of the bison's front right leg.
Rather than replace the die, a mint worker attempted to polish it. The polishing went too far. The front right leg of the bison was polished completely off the die, leaving the coin with a bison that appears to stand on only three legs. The hoof of the missing leg is still faintly visible on many examples, appearing as a small curved line below where the leg should be. This remnant hoof is one of the key authentication points for genuine examples.
The error was not caught immediately. A significant number of coins were struck from the damaged die before the problem was identified and the die was pulled. Estimates of the total number struck vary, but the population of certified examples suggests several hundred thousand coins were produced with the error before production stopped.
What the Coin Looks Like
On a genuine 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel, the bison on the reverse is missing its front right leg entirely. The leg simply is not there. The bison appears to be standing on two rear legs and one front left leg, giving it an awkward, unbalanced appearance that is immediately obvious once you know what to look for.
Look carefully at the area where the front right leg should be. On a genuine example you will often see the ghost of the hoof, a faint curved impression in the field below the bison's belly. This is the remnant of the original die detail that was not completely polished away. Its presence is a strong indicator of authenticity, though its visibility varies with the grade of the coin. On heavily worn examples it may be very faint or invisible.
The rest of the coin is normal. The obverse is identical to any other 1937-D Buffalo Nickel. The reverse shows the standard design except for the missing leg. The D mint mark appears in its normal position below FIVE CENTS.
How to Authenticate a 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The 1937-D 3-Legged is one of the most counterfeited coins in American numismatics. The most common fake is a genuine 1937-D Buffalo Nickel with the front right leg removed by filing, grinding, or acid. These altered coins can be convincing, but there are reliable ways to detect them.
The Remnant Hoof
On a genuine 3-Legged coin, the front right leg was removed by die polishing, not by altering the coin after striking. Die polishing removes metal from the die, which means the area where the leg was is smooth and part of the original struck surface. The remnant hoof, where the polishing did not reach all the way to the bottom of the die detail, appears as a faint but genuine struck element.
On an altered coin, the leg has been removed from the coin itself after striking. The area where the leg was will show file marks, grinding marks, or acid damage. Under magnification, the surface in that area will look different from the surrounding field. It will be rougher, show directional scratches, or have a different luster than the rest of the coin.
The Field Around the Missing Leg
On a genuine coin, the field in the area of the missing leg is smooth and consistent with the rest of the reverse field. It has the same luster, the same texture, and the same surface characteristics. There is no disturbance because the leg was never on the coin to begin with.
On an altered coin, the field in that area has been worked. Even careful alteration leaves traces. Under a 10x loupe, look for:
- Directional scratches or file marks
- A slightly recessed or uneven surface compared to the surrounding field
- Differences in luster or color in the altered area
- Traces of the original leg that were not completely removed
Third-Party Certification
As with the 1909-S VDB, the most reliable protection is third-party certification from PCGS or NGC. Both services are very familiar with this variety and its common alterations. A certified 1937-D 3-Legged in a genuine PCGS or NGC holder has been examined by experts who have seen thousands of examples. If you are spending serious money, buy certified.
Grading the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
Buffalo Nickels are graded on the standard Sheldon scale. The key grading points on the obverse are the hair above the Native American's braid and the cheekbone. On the reverse, the high point of the bison's hip and the area behind the front shoulder are the first places to show wear.
Good (G-4 to G-6): The design is visible but heavily worn. The bison's outline is clear but the surface detail is flat. The date and mint mark are readable. The missing leg is obvious.
Very Good (VG-8 to VG-10): More detail visible. The bison's horn begins to show. The hair detail on the obverse starts to emerge.
Fine (F-12 to F-15): Moderate wear. The bison's hip shows some detail. The obverse portrait has clear definition.
Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35): Light to moderate wear on the high points. The bison's hip and shoulder show good detail. The obverse hair is well defined.
Extremely Fine (EF-40 to EF-45): Light wear on the very highest points only. Most original detail is sharp and clear.
About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): Slight wear on the bison's hip and the Native American's cheekbone. Significant original luster remaining.
Mint State (MS-60 and above): No wear. Graded on strike quality, luster, and surface preservation. Mint State 3-Legged coins are genuinely scarce and command significant premiums.
Strike Quality
Strike quality matters significantly on this issue. Many 1937-D Buffalo Nickels, including the 3-Legged variety, are weakly struck, particularly in the hair detail above the braid on the obverse and in the bison's horn on the reverse. A sharply struck example commands a premium over a weakly struck coin of the same grade.
What Is a 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel Worth?
Values vary significantly by grade. Here are approximate retail values for problem-free, original-surface examples as of June 2026.
Good (G-4): $400 to $500
Very Good (VG-8): $500 to $600
Fine (F-12): $600 to $750
Very Fine (VF-20): $750 to $900
Very Fine (VF-35): $900 to $1,100
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $1,100 to $1,400
About Uncirculated (AU-50): $1,400 to $1,600
About Uncirculated (AU-58): $2,300 to $2,500
Mint State (MS-62): $3,000 to $4,000
Mint State (MS-63): $4,500 to $6,000
Mint State (MS-64): $6,000 to $11,000
Mint State (MS-65): $20,000 to $30,000
These are retail prices. Cleaned, damaged, or altered coins are worth a fraction of these values. An altered coin that has had its leg removed is worth no more than a common 1937-D Buffalo Nickel in the same grade, typically $2 to $20 depending on condition.
The 1937-D 3-Legged in the Buffalo Nickel Series
The Buffalo Nickel series has several other important dates worth knowing:
1913-S Type 2: The first year of the series in the Type 2 design (flat ground under the bison rather than a mound). Low mintage of 1,209,000. Worth $200 to $2,000+ depending on grade.
1916 Doubled Die Obverse: One of the most dramatic doubled die varieties in American coinage. The doubling on the date and the word LIBERTY is dramatic and visible without magnification. Worth $1,000 to $15,000+ depending on grade.
1918/7-D: An overdate variety where a 1917 die was re-engraved with a 1918 date. The remnant 7 is visible under the 8. Worth $500 to $8,000+ depending on grade.
1921-S: Low mintage of 1,557,000. Worth $100 to $1,500+ depending on grade.
1926-S: Mintage of 970,000. Worth $75 to $2,000+ depending on grade.
1938-D/S: The final year of the series, with a D mint mark punched over an S. Worth $25 to $300+ depending on grade.
Why the 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel Matters
The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel holds a special place in American numismatics for reasons beyond its rarity or value. It is a coin that tells a story. The story of a mint worker trying to solve a problem, going too far, and accidentally creating something that collectors would treasure for generations. It is a reminder that the coins in our pockets and collections were made by human hands, subject to human error, and that those errors can become part of history.
It is also one of the most accessible major rarities in American coinage. Unlike the 1909-S VDB or the 1804 Dollar, the 1937-D 3-Legged is a coin that a beginning collector can aspire to own. A circulated example in Good or Very Good condition is within reach for most collectors, and the thrill of owning a genuine example never diminishes regardless of grade.
Selling Your 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel in Upstate South Carolina
If you have a 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel to sell, whether raw or certified, circulated or Mint State, Clemson Coins, Currency, Bullion and Jewelry pays the most in Upstate South Carolina. We know this coin, we know the market, and we never lowball a genuine example.
We are located at 7611 HWY 76, Pendleton, SC 29670, just minutes from Clemson, Anderson, Greenville and Seneca. Call us at 864-502-0100 before you make the drive. We are happy to discuss your coin over the phone and give you a realistic sense of value.
Clemson Coins, Currency, Bullion and Jewelry. We Pay More, ALWAYS!
7611 HWY 76, Pendleton, SC 29670 · Call 864-502-0100