1917-D is a scarce date in circulated grades VF and better. Low end mint state coins are more available than XF-AU, but both share the same problem with strike. Choice and gem pieces are rare.
Nearly all examples seen suffer from poor detail definition. This is due in large part to the die erosion described for 1917(P). For the D-Mint, however, it is much more severe, extending into the recesses of the dies instead of merely affecting the fields. Commonly seen are individual coins that have more than one kind of luster. A blend of satiny and frosty textures is typical, as eroded areas of the dies alternated with smooth ones. Re-polishing of worn or clashed dies seems to have been practiced, and this can produce isolated areas of proof like reflectivity for this and many other issues in the Buffalo Nickel series.
Varieties:
- Vigorous polishing of a reverse die produced the 3-1/2-leg variety (FS-1917D- 901). The popularity of such pieces is due to their association with the more dramatic 1937-D 3-leg variety.
- A two-feathers variety is also known (FS-1917D-401).
- A new mintmark style was introduced this year, and 1917-D nickels may be found with either the old (1913-17) D or the new (1917-34) Denver mintmark. These are similar at first glance, and there doesn’t seem to be any interest among collectors in obtaining both styles.
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
| 51,424,019 | 9,910,000 | 4,193,000 |
Cents
