A lakhs-worth treasure can lie in the change in your pocket – 1937-D ‘Three Legged’ Buffalo Nickel
At times, it appears that discovering something worthwhile from the coins in common pockets is nothing more than a fantasy. However, in the real world, numerous such incidents have surfaced, wherein individuals have discovered unusual coins worth lakhs of rupees in change.
One such extremely famous and uncommon coin is the 1937-D ‘Three Legged’ Buffalo Nickel, which have become so particular because of an mistakes and now its cost can be as high as \$110,000 (about 90 lakh rupees) – that too only based totally upon its condition.
Why is this coin so special?
The 1937-D Buffalo Nickel is not similar to the common coins. A bison (wild buffalo) is struck on the back side of this coin. But the uniqueness is that only three legs of the bison can be seen in it – the fourth leg is missing.
This was not an error, but the coin striking die was over-polished in the Denver Mint, which removed one of the bison’s legs. This error was not detected at that time and some of the coins went into circulation like this.
Now this error has made it so uncommon and valuable that this coin is extremely popular among collectors.
Is this coin still available?
Yes, but with very slim chances. Nevertheless, there are times when such coins turn up from piggy banks of old coins, grandma’s safe, or inherited coins.
It used to be a fashion for people to ‘collect’ coins in 1937, and even now many households carry such old collections that are worth looking through.
If you find an old Buffalo nickel, check the right front leg of the bison (from your point of view). If it is missing and there’s a break below the shoulder — you may strike gold.
How much could it be worth?
The value of the coin is based on whether it is well-worn or is in good condition:
- Extremely worn coins can fetch $5,000 to $10,000 (approximately Rs. 4 to 8 lakhs).
- Clean coins in good condition fetch $50,000 or more.
- And if the coin is in Mint State (i.e. never in circulation, brand new), it has been auctioned for up to $110,000.
The coin is still in high demand in 2025, and many collectors monitor such auctions and private sales.
How did this mistake happen?
As per numismatists (coin specialists), a mint employee was attempting to eliminate blemishes in the coin molding. He was attempting to eliminate ‘clash marks’ (when the molds for both sides of the coin crash into each other).
During this process, inadvertently, a portion of one of the legs of one of the bison also polished and vanished from the die — but the minting of the coin went on and the error wasn’t detected.
This is referred to as a “die polishing error”. Even though there have been other such errors in history, but very few coins have attained such fame as the 3-legged Buffalo nickel.
What to do if you discover such a coin?
First of all — Never clean the coin. Cleaning or washing a coin will significantly decrease its value.
Then follow these steps:
- Check for the “D” mint mark below “FIVE CENTS” on the back side of the coin — that is when it was minted in Denver.
- Take a close examination of the bison’s legs — particularly the right front leg ought to be missing.
- Then have it examined by a certified coin expert or dealer.
- Alternatively, you can submit it to a professional grading service such as PCGS or NGC for an expert assessment.
Finally — Can a nickel be worth millions?
It may seem strange that a tiny 5-cent nickel could be worth millions. But the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel proves just that.
Whether you’re a coin enthusiast or just check your pockets occasionally, this coin is a reminder that history and valuable treasures can be hidden right in your pocket.
So the next time you encounter some change in a store — have a closer inspection. Who knows, a worn and aged nickel may bring you the good tidings of $110,000.
FAQs
Q1: What is the 1937-D ‘Three Legged’ Buffalo Nickel?
A1: It’s a rare U.S. 5-cent coin with only three visible legs on the buffalo due to a minting error at the Denver Mint in 1937.
Q2: Why does the buffalo on this coin have only three legs?
A2: The coin die was over-polished to remove blemishes, accidentally removing part of the front leg, creating the famous “three-legged” error.
Q3: How rare is the 1937-D Three-Legged Nickel?
A3: Very rare. Only a limited number were mistakenly released into circulation before the error was detected, making it highly valuable for collectors today.
