Although many specimens are softly struck, the sheer number of mint state coins available makes it fairly easy to find a satisfying example. The typical 1931-S nickel has excellent luster, and some are blazing beauties. Since the coin market typically places so little emphasis on technical matters such as die state and quality of strike, there are a great many examples of this issue carrying high grades.
1931-S is to the Buffalo Nickel series what 1950-D is to the Jefferson Nickels. It seems to be at least as common in mint state as it is in lesser grades, possibly more so. As a low mintage date, speculators were attracted to it from the outset. That their scheme could be implemented successfully was due primarily to a delay of several years before the majority of 1931-S nickels were released. With the economy at such a slow pace, new coins were simply not needed. When things finally did pick up, around 1934, sufficient time had passed for this issue’s low mintage figure to become public knowledge, and the trap was set.
Varieties:
- Probably the most desirable variety is the re-punched mintmark.
- Minor die doubling is reported for the reverse.
- Also known is a small cud affecting the bison right hind leg, a very unusual location for such failure.
| San Francisco |
| 1,2000,000 |