1936 Buffalo Nickel

1936 was a year of optimism, as it appeared that the economy was finally recovering from several years of severe depression. Though this activity proved to be premature, it was enough to boost demand for fresh coins after years of little or no production. Thus did the 1936 Philadelphia Mint nickel become the single highest mintage issue in this series.

Understandably, 1936(P) nickel are very common in Mint State. Most, however, are again less than fully struck, this being particularly evident in the central obverse. Also common is extreme die erosion, as dies were used well beyond their ideal life span. Even with all of these factors weighing against the certification of gems, so plentiful is this issue that even MS 66 coins are common enough to be widely collected.

The book by Wexler, Pope and Flynn lists several doubled-die varieties for both sides, but the one that has caught collectors' interest is FS-101. It is quite evident on Mint State and lightly worn coins, but may be a bit challenging to discern on more worn examples.