A Stunning Mint Error Emerges from a Long-Held Collection
In late 2025, a remarkable discovery surfaced from an old-time mint error collection. Among several rare off-metal pieces sat an extraordinary coin: a Buffalo Nickel struck on a dime planchet, now certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
The coin immediately stood out. It displays a fully struck design, strong eye appeal, and gem mint state preservation. Light, original toning complements its vibrant luster. As a result, it ranks as the second-finest known example of this famous error type.
Even more impressive, the piece survived unnoticed for decades before finally entering the spotlight.
What Makes This Error So Rare?
A Buffalo nickel struck on a dime planchet represents a dramatic minting mistake known as a wrong planchet error.
How the Error Happens
The process is simple, but the mistake is not.
First, planchets (blank coins) move through the Mint in large bins. Occasionally, a few dime planchets remain in a bin after use. Then, workers refill the same bin with nickel blanks.
As a result, stray dime planchets mix in. When those smaller blanks reach a nickel press, the machine strikes them with Buffalo nickel dies.
The outcome is striking. The dies are larger and designed for thicker metal. Therefore, the smaller dime planchet cannot properly accommodate the design.
Key Physical Characteristics
Collectors can identify these errors quickly because they show several distinct traits:
- Smaller Diameter – The coin matches a dime’s size, not a nickel’s
- Silver Composition – Early examples contain 90% silver, unlike standard nickel alloy
- Incomplete Design – Portions of the design run off the edge
- Soft Strike – Thinner metal often results in weaker central detail
Despite these challenges, the newly certified PCGS example shows an unusually sharp and complete strike, which adds to its elite status.
Condition Census: Second Only to a Legendary 1913 Example
This newly certified coin now ranks just behind the finest known specimen: a 1913 Buffalo Nickel struck on a dime planchet, graded MS 66 by Numismatic Guaranty Company.
That coin has achieved six-figure value levels, underscoring the importance of the newly certified example.
Importantly, fewer than a dozen examples exist across all dates.
A Complete Census of Known Examples
Research by Saul Teichman of uspatterns.com identifies at least 10 known Buffalo nickels struck on dime planchets. These include:
Documented Examples by Date:
- 1913 – NGC MS66 example sold by Heritage Auctions (April 2010) for $46,000 Finest Known
- 1918 – PCGS AU58 example (formerly in major collections) Sold at Heritage FUN (2020) for $14,400. Earlier offering listed at $27,000
- 1920 – PCGS AU55 example traced through multiple fixed price lists
- 1925 – PCGS AU50 example. Sold at Heritage FUN (2018) for $4,800
- 1929 (Two Examples) – PCGS AU58 example with long pedigree and this PCGS MS64 pictured above from the Byers Collection.
- 1936 _ NGC MS62 example, stolen in 2001 and recovered in 2009
- 1936-S – PCGS MS62 example, though noted as damaged
- Undated (Two Examples) – PCGS AU58 example (S mintmark) and Another PCGS AU58 example sold in 2022 for $12,000
Why These Errors Almost Never Escape the Mint
Mint quality control typically catches wrong planchet errors. That fact explains their extreme rarity.
However, a few pieces slip through. When they do, they often remain hidden for years, sometimes decades, inside old collections.
This newly certified coin fits that pattern perfectly.
Market Demand and Value Trends
Collectors prize dramatic mint errors. Moreover, off-metal strikes rank among the most desirable categories.
Because of that demand:
- Even circulated examples sell for thousands of dollars
- High-grade specimens can reach five-figure prices or more
- The finest known example sits firmly in the six-figure range
Given its condition and rarity, this newly certified PCGS coin could command strong attention if offered publicly.
A Coin That Should Not Exist
Every great mint error tells a story. This one tells several.
First, it survived the Mint’s inspection process. Then, it disappeared into a private collection for generations. Finally, it re-emerged in near-pristine condition.
That journey adds to its mystique.
More importantly, the coin represents a moment when precision failed, and history was created.
Why This Discovery Matters
This certification reinforces a key truth in numismatics: important coins still wait to be discovered.
Even in well-studied series like the Buffalo nickel, surprises continue to appear.
And when they do, they reshape the condition census, and the market.
Great article on the Buffalo Nickle!
That’s really cool!
Simply amazing
Mint errors have never been part of my interest. However, they do command an important area in coin collecting & are an interesting subject in the numismatic collection field.
That’s one way not to have to worry about the date wearing off!
Very nice coin. Wish I found one like that in my dad’s collection. Though that one is probably the 1856 cent I spent on a gum ball.
Love reading about these kind of things. Appreciate the article
I would love to own that.
Fascinating
Neat!
I like to get bank boxes of coins to search for errors. So far only minor errors and varieties, but hoping to one day find that six figure coin!
Very cool
A really good article for buffalos.
This is so cool.
What a find ! that’s incredible..
Very nice
I love error coins. It’s unbelievable how much some of them sell for. I have some cheap ones, but they’re all neat in their own way.
Great article !! Keep them coming, PLEASE.
I have several Buffalo Nickles. I LOVE collecting them!!!!! Thanks for leading me to this article it has been a good help to me. I love your website. Thank you.
Thanks for the interesting article! I wonder how many various coin planchet errors are yet to be discovered.
Imagine a collection of nothing but mint errors–that would be unique
Six gallons of coin on a 4-gal planchet.
great article great story
A very nice addition to any collection! Good luck everybody!
It makes you wonder if these are employee created coins.
Wow! Neat coin!
Noice!
Wow, that is so interesting! And what a cool coin. I wish I could won something like this. Unfortunately nothing I have in my meager collection even comes close!
An amazing delayed find after so many decades!
A great & cool find.
Wow! That’s an Awesome error!
Nice piece of history there!
I need an example of a wrong metal / wrong planchet error in my collection!
Great looking coin
Great article! Thanks for explaining how this happens.
It’s very interesting to learn how the errors occurred.
And they said silver nickels were only minted 1942 to 1945.
Thank you for explaining how this could even happen.
Its always interesting seeing the different types of error coins.
What an incredible error coin! Looks really neat
Error coins are simply awesome!
Interesting. I didn’t know these existed.
These are my favorite error type coins. To see the coin and know it is too big for the area and how it displays is art in itself. I’ve seen a Franklin half on a penny planchet where part of Ben Franklin’s portrait is visible and part of the Liberty Bell is visible on the reverse. A thing of beauty.
That would be an exceptional find, I never knew about this buffalo nickel.
Beautiful
Great article… very interesting
Was unaware..cool though
I’d like to on one of those!
Love buffalo nickels!!
Mint errors have always peaked my interest. I would love to find something like these.
Interesting how this only recently came to light.
Error coins are so cool
Love buffalo nickels. 2nd to Wheat pennies.
This is such a kool coin.
Awesome
Striking…
How unusual that this could occur!
How do these get past QC?
And, I wonder, which states see the most errors? Are they the ones closer to minting areas?
Very interesting article on the Buffalo Nickel struck on a dime planchet.
amazing the value mint errors can command
a “mint-error collection” must be incredibly difficult to put together
Very neat hybid in a sense!
great article regarding buffalo nickel
Cool story, I love the mint-error coins that are easy to spot.
They were not made by accident.
Very rare!
Beautiful coin and would be amazing to own something so rare.
Beautiful coin and would be a dream to own
I would really love getting a buffalo nickel in that condition while roll hunting. Of course if on a wrong planchet, just icing on the cake.