1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel

One over-polished die turned a normal Buffalo nickel into America's most famous error — a bison missing its front leg.

History

• The variety was created at the Denver Mint when a reverse die that had clashed (struck without a planchet, picking up opposing-die details) was removed from the press for refinishing (Heritage Auctions lot 414-5097; accessed 2026-09-16).
• A Mint workman lapped/polished the die to remove the clash marks but went too far: the bison’s front leg, one of the shallowest points in the reverse die, was polished away, leaving only the hoof (Heritage Auctions; Coin World market analysis; accessed 2026-09-16).
• The same over-polishing weakened the rear legs, making them appear feeble, and left the bison slightly smaller — the wider gap between the back and ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM’ is a standard authentication point (Heritage Auctions lot 402-327; accessed 2026-09-16).
• Every genuine example shows a faint ‘stream’ or flow line below the bison’s belly, surviving even in lower grades (Coin World; accessed 2026-09-16).
• Though not technically a low-mintage date (the 1937-D Buffalo nickel mintage was 17,826,000), it is one of the most popular and in-demand varieties of the 20th century (Heritage Auctions; accessed 2026-09-16).

Specifications

• Weight: 5.00 grams — Heritage Auctions spec data; accessed 2026-09-16
• Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel — Heritage Auctions spec data; accessed 2026-09-16
• Diameter: 21.2 mm (standard Buffalo nickel) — PCGS CoinFacts; accessed 2026-09-16
• Designer: James Earle Fraser — U.S. Mint / standard type references; accessed 2026-09-16
• Edge: Plain

Collector notes

• Do not confuse a genuine three-legged variety with a normal 1937-D worn smooth by circulation or damaged by tooling; check the weakened rear legs, the belly flow line, and the wide back-to-legend gap.
• Because of its fame, the three-legged nickel is heavily counterfeited — buy only examples certified by PCGS or NGC as the FS-020.2 variety.
• Most surviving examples show deficient, diffuse luster — a direct consequence of the over-polished die — so coins with strong, frosty luster carry real premiums (Heritage Auctions; accessed 2026-09-16).
• Mint State examples are scarce; Coin World notes only one PCGS MS-66+, CAC example was offered by Legend Rare Coin Auctions in its October 28 San Diego sale, selling for $99,875 (accessed 2026-09-16).

Market check

Related Coins

Morgan Silver Dollar1878–1921Peace Silver Dollar1921–1935Walking Liberty Half Dollar1916–1947American Silver Eagle1986–present