What is the value of a 1927 US nickel?

Answer 1

This coin is commonly called either a buffalo nickel or an Indian head nickel (*). Look on the back of the coin to see if there's a small mint mark letter below the words FIVE CENTS. It may be blank or there may be a D or S. (The F on the front of the coin is the designer's monogram and not a mint mark.)

Numismedia lists the following approximate retail values as of 04/2013:

No mint mark (Philadelphia):
Very worn condition - $1
Moderately worn - $2
Slightly worn - $5
Almost no wear - $20
Uncirculated - $34 to $7,350 depending on quality

"D" mint mark (Denver):
Very worn - $2
Moderately worn - $7
Slightly worn - $24
Almost no wear - $108
Uncirculated - $168 to $7,440

"S" mint mark (San Francisco):
Very worn - $1
Moderately worn - $6
Slightly worn - $31
Almost no wear - $205
Uncirculated - $600 to $3,780


(*) But not a "buffalo head nickel" - after all, it shows the whole buffalo!